Cape deplores theft of grave wreaths

Cape Town council said it was shocked by a spate of incidents in which flowers were stolen from gravestones.

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Cape Town - The City on Tuesday said it was shocked by a spate of incidents in which flowers were stolen from gravestones and called on the public to report the thieves.

Belinda Walker, the city’s mayoral committee member for community services, said a man was caught red-handed stealing flowers in Plumstead Cemetery on Christmas Eve and has been charged with theft.

It was not, Walker added, an isolated incident.

“There have been a number of such incidents, where flowers are being stolen off the graves as soon as the mourners leave the cemetery. There is no excuse for such disrespectful behaviour, which we strongly condemn. It is traumatic enough for families who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. To add to that trauma by stealing the flowers off a loved-ones grave is simply unacceptable and cannot be condoned,” she said.

“It is shocking that people will stoop to such low levels of crime.”

Walker said the city would adopt “zero tolerance” for graveyard flower theft and planned to put up signs in cemeteries to warn that it was a criminal offence.

“I ask members of the public to be our eyes and ears on the ground and to work in collaboration with us to bring these wanton criminals to book,” she added.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour or such incidents taking place at cemeteries to either the Law Enforcement Department on the toll-free number 0800 225 669, to Metro Police on 0860 765 423 or their local South African Police Service station.”

ANA