Monarch East councillor Raoboy Mpuang has condemned the vandalism and theft of metal rods used for shades at the cemeteries.

Speaking after a funeral which was held in Monarch location of Francistown on Sunday, Mpuang said it was becoming a common practice for some nocturnal culprits to destroy the shades in a bid to get metal rods which they later sell to metal workers for reuse. He said it was a disgrace for people not to respect the dead by stealing things from the graveyard.

Although no one has been arrested yet in connection with the crime, the councillor warned both the culprits and those receiving the stolen metal for recycling to stop the inhuman act.

“It is a crime and also embarrassing for people not the respect the cemetery. Those who happen to be dealing with such material from cemetery should know that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them,” said Mpuang.

Sharing the councillor’s sentiments, Lesetse Keoraletse, who is the chairperson of Monarch East, said some people steal the fl owers which are normally laid on the graves suggesting that mourners should consider burying these fl owers together with the coffin.

Meanwhile Mpuang also called upon residents of Monarch to consider burying relatives at their home villages as there was a very serious shortage of land for another cemetery in Francistown.

He said the council was currently negotiating with some nearby villages for more land which can be used as graveyard

Graveyard