Heritage Cases

A Section 36 relocation permit (Permit ID: 3230) was issued for the relocation on 26 March 2021 from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). Unfortunately, most of the family members did not know the exact location of the graves on the property. Therefore, during the exhumation on 21-29 June and on 9 July 2021 only six graves were positively identified and relocated. During the monitoring of site clearing activities by PGS and the families at areas on the abovementioned property from 06 December 2021, approximately fifteen (15) grave locations were confirmed. A letter of advice was received from SAHRA that the graves can be relocated under the previously issued permit to allow for the proper relocation. The families involved request to have these reburied at Shilangu Cemetery under the Mawewe Traditional Authority in Madeni. The relocation of the graves took place from 21-23 February 2022. On 17 March 2022, it was reported by the mine that an additional grave has been disturbed by mining activity. The area in which the grave falls is the same as the previous and the graves located here are all attributed to the same community/family. The grave was not marked on the surface and the risk exists that more unmarked graves can be damaged going forward. The area is too large to conduct test excavation therefore with permission from the family representative we hereby respectfully apply for a permit to relocate approximately 10 graves should more be accidentally identified. T2 Funeral Services will again be responsible for the handling and reburial of the exhumed human remains. The family requested to have all remains reburied at Shilangu Cemetery under the Mawewe Traditional Authority in Madeni.