Heritage Cases

SAHRA is the current custodians of these graves, as a permit for the relocation was issued in 2002 (issued to Dr Zoë Henderson, affiliated with the National Museum at Bloemfontein and the permit was valid until 2003). It was established then, and confirmed during the last PP (Public Participation) process that there are no known NoK (next of kin). G&A Heritage Properties (Pty) Ltd. has been appointed by Blue Diamonds Mine (t/a Koffiefontein Diamond Mine) to apply for a permit from the Free State Provincial Administration and the local municipality of Letsemeng in the Xhariep District to relocate several burial sites (graves) dispersed on Farm Koffiefontein 733 to the planned reburial site. As a result of pressure from the local community towards the mine to relocate the unknown graves to a formal cemetery, this process has been initiated. The mine is proposing to re-mine the tailings areas where many of these graves are located. The occurrence of graves within such areas will affect mining operations and result in damage to graves. It is proposed that these areas undergo a GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) survey to determine possible locations for these graves. These identified graves will then need to be exhumed under the permit requested here. A complete and comprehensive PP (Public Participation) and Stake Holder Engagement have been completed for this project and is outlined in the accompanying report. In order to address the comments from SAHRA, the public participation programme (PPP) was reinitiated in order to more accurately comply with the 60 day notification period. For the second PPP, G&A Heritage ensured that all notification letters, advertisements, and posters were submitted, placed and distributed to the public in and around Koffiefontein precisely for a 60 day period, and 60 days in advance of the final PPP meetings which were held. In addition to this, the newspaper advertisement was published in two newspapers in two languages, namely English and Setswana. Pamphlets were also distributed in Koffiefontein in English and Setswana. In addition, a Covid Migitation Plan was amended and resubmitted to SAHRA for a 60 day period. Lastly, in order to allow for people’s working schedules and agendas, public meetings were organised in the community hall on a Friday and a Saturday in order to accommodate people who might be working during the week. It is believed that there are more than 500 dispersed graves, some inside various Tailing Storage Facilities (TSF's) and date back to the 1880-90s. Several audits have been undertaken to identify the remains of the deceased, which trace these back from historic settlers of the Koffiefontein area which died during the 1880-90's due to what is believed to be a typhoid or enteric fever outbreak.