The destruction of all tombstones at Ga-Ra Phatudi cemetery located in Mabeleng Section, Dithakong East village outside Mahikeng photo supplied
By Pastor Lesiba Kgwele
Moral regeneration movement North West interim committee
The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Monday condemned the mysterious destruction of all tombstones at Ga-Ra Phatudi cemetery located in Mabeleng Section, Dithakong East village outside Mahikeng.
The Civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values described the shocking discovery as a senseless, insensitive, barbaric and extreme act of provocation.
The destruction which was discovered on the 27 July 2025 is reportedly the second after the first incident took place in April 2023.
Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele questioned who in his right mind would repeatedly cross the line of desecrating the graves of the villagers and provoke their anger.
“There might be an evil person/s in the area harbouring an unresolved grudge against the living and the dead in the community directing his or her anger at what is supposed to be a sacred resting place,” suggested Pastor Kgwele.
Kgwele pointed out that memorial stones are valued symbols of deep remembrance and reflection with religious or spiritual significance to some people therefore their destruction is often viewed as offensive to those who attach strong and deeper connection to them.
The destruction of all tombstones at Ga-Ra Phatudi cemetery located in Mabeleng Section, Dithakong East village outside Mahikeng photo supplied
He appealed for calm cautioning that unresolved anger might lead to undesirable outcomes.
“The community cannot handle the frustration of dealing with the emotional trauma including financial losses of continuously repairing damaged memorial stones without finding closure,” he stressed.
Kgwele appealed to anyone with information that might assist police in the investigations to come forward to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“No stone must be left unturned to find those responsible for these despicable acts. United action is required to protect community assets and shared spaces when moral decay has reached such unacceptable levels to the extent that the dead are haunted by the living even to their graves,” he highlighted.
He mentioned that MRM has committed to support the community initiative to protect the local cemetery against vandalism.
The involvement of local churches, youth and women organisations, community structures, Mahikeng Local Municipality, traditional leaders in the area, including crime prevention structures as well as the South African Police Service to be part of the partnership will be crucial to reclaim the peaceful environment that the villagers are aspiring for, added Kgwele.