A large group of aggrieved residents under the banner of the Marude/Mpandani Community Graves Committee marched to the main gate of the University of Venda on Friday, 15 May, demanding an immediate halt to what they describe as the continued destruction and desecration of ancestral graves.
The protesting community members, whose relatives are buried on land now targeted for expansion projects by the university, handed over a memorandum detailing their grievances and demands to university management. The memorandum was presented by a delegation comprising Mr Albertus Mathoni (secretary), Mr Shumani Halata (deputy secretary), Pastor Thizwilondi Matodzi and Mr Steven Nefale (chairperson).
The document was received by Advocate Eric Nemukula, director of legal services at the University of Venda, accompanied by university spokesperson Dr Takalani Dzaga and other management representatives.
More than 78 graves are said to have been vandalised.
Part of the vandalized gravesite at Univen. Photo supplied
Speaking on behalf of the graves committee, Mr Mathoni said the community was fighting to protect the birthrights and dignity of their ancestors.
“We are fighting for our ancestors’ birthrights and their graves, which the University of Venda has allegedly vandalised for decades. Even now, they continue with what we regard as an inhumane and disrespectful attitude,” he said.
In the memorandum, the community accused the university of systematically violating the National Heritage Resources Act by allegedly failing to comply with notices issued regarding the destruction of graves on 26 April 2023 and 4 October 2023.
The memorandum further alleges that heavy machinery, including caterpillars and TLBs, recently continued operating in areas where community graves are located.
“From the beginning of this month, we have witnessed the continued violation of human dignity when caterpillars and TLBs destroyed the graves of our families,” reads part of the memorandum.
“We do not worship dead people, but pay homage to our ancestors and understand that they live within our DNA. They are the closest connection we have to the spiritual realm and powerful advocates for our well-being,” the memorandum states.
Among their key demands, the community called for full compliance with legislative requirements protecting graves and heritage sites. They also condemned what they described as the university’s “propensity to destroy graves” belonging to families who were forcibly removed from their ancestral land during the apartheid era.
At the time of going to print, a query sent to the university for comment had not yet been responded to. However, Mr Mathoni said prospects for engagement appeared positive.
“Our meeting was cordial and, even though we had given them 14 days to respond, the director of legal services at the university proposed during the meeting that we hold further discussions, which we all agreed should take place on Thursday, 21 May.
“We remain hopeful that something positive will come out of this meeting,” he said.