Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-05-15

Qabrastaan’s (cemetery’s) are a place of serenity and the final resting place for loved ones that have passed on.

In recent times the sanctuary for the marhoomeen (deceased) particularly Avalon once a symbol of anti-apartheid defiance has become a haven for scrupulous criminals.

The 42-year-old graveyard is understood to have reached its capacity and has been left in poor condition as a result.

Avalon is like a suburb on its own, it sometimes is difficult for the rangers to man every corner there is at the site.

Residents claim theft of headstones and rape are common at Avalon, which is 172 hectares big.

Avalon Cemetery, once a symbol of anti-apartheid defiance, has turned into a crime hub and a source of fear.

Last year Mohamed Iqbal Kadir from Saaberie Chisty Burial Society was severely assaulted while Khalil Shaik and Basheer Makhanda also from Saaberie Chisty Burial Society shot after they went to the Avalon Qabrastaan

Tumelo Tautona of Chiawelo says when his family arrived at his grandfather's grave a month ago, the tombstone was gone.

"It initially took us a while to arrive at the grave because of the weeds and we got to it to find it without the headstone. It was obviously stolen. We never opened a case because it seemed pointless. We got the new tomb up and live in the hope that it will remain," 35-year-old Tautona said.

Political heroes Hector Pieterson, Joe Slovo and Lillian Ngoyi are among more than 300,000 who have been laid to rest at Avalon.

In an effort to curb the rising crime at the cemetery, the City of Johannesburg says it has invested in technology which has worked to some extent.

Jenny Moodley from City Parks emphasises that with the help of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the South African Police Service, law enforcement reaction has been able to police illegal access to Avalon.

"We have put chip detectors on some of the headstones linked to one of the nearby towers. When they sense any movement they ring aloud and police then to react knowing there definitely is someone out there," Moodley said.

Moodley says it has also put a team of park rangers at the cemetery full time.

"Unfortunately though, for a space that big, Avalon is like a suburb on its own, it sometimes is difficult for the rangers to man every corner there is at the site."

“Whoever goes to (Avalon Cemetery) to visit a qabr, don’t go alone. Go with a couple of people… and be alert, warned Kadir.”- enca

(Twitter: @Faizie143)