The Koloane and Louw families are finally at peace after the grave mix-up by Sol Plaatje Municipality was finally fixed at West End Cemetery.
THE KOLOANE and Louw families are finally at peace after the grave mix-up by Sol Plaatje Municipality was finally fixed at West End Cemetery on Thursday.
This follows the intervention of the Office of the Public Protector.
The two families shook hands and exchanged smiles of gratitude for the first time since they met in 2019 following the discovery of the mix-up.
Keitumetse Koloane was buried on November 30, 2019 on top of the late Richard Louw, who died in 2012, instead of her late father, Donald Semau, due to faulty grave markings.
The exhumation this week was overseen by the Office of the Public Protector, which has pointed the finger at the municipality for the mix-up, as a remedial action following the conclusion of an investigation and release of Report No 65 of 2021/22.
The Office of the Public Protector issued a report, in which it recommended that the municipality approach the high court and ask for the exhumation order for the removal of the late Keitumetse Koloane from the grave of Richard Louw.
Members of the SAPS, as well as other relevant parties, accompanied the two families to the grave during the exhumation.
The mix-up was initially detected by Raymond Louw, who was visiting his brother’s grave at West End Cemetery when he came to Kimberley for the holidays in December 2019.
They had to track down the Koloane family after Sol Plaatje Municipality was unhelpful.
According to Raymond, they had reserved the space that Koloane occupied for the deceased’s twin brother who had fallen critically ill.
On behalf of the Louw family, Raymond expressed joy and relief that the exhumation finally happened after three years.
They said the family was relieved that the Office of the Public Protector took the matter seriously while Sol Plaatje Municipality saw it as a minor issue.
“We are relieved that this whole back-and-forth has come to an end. At least now both my brother and Keitumetse Koloane will rest in peace,” said Raymond.
Mlungisi Khaya, from the Office of the Public Protector, expressed appreciation to the municipality for the manner in which it handled the situation.
“We appreciate it because there was improper conduct on their part and they were willing and committed to ensuring that they did the right thing by exhuming the body.
“This is closure for the families,” said Khaya.
