SiteRecordings

The field survey confirmed one burial site located on the farm Farm Wildfontein in Merafong Local Municipality. They are located at GPS coordinates S26° 9' 50.4" E 027° 22' 9.4". The burial site is located approximately 400m from the proposed Alternative 1 powerline route. The site has more than 200 graves probably of farm workers. The graves are arranged in rows and are marked by oval shaped stone piles, a significant number is marked by cement plaster and inscribed tombstones. The oldest grave is for 1937, which may mean that the graves belongs to former labour tenants. Although the possibility of encountering previously unidentified burial sites is low on the proposed development sites, should such sites be identified during construction, they are still protected by applicable legislations and they should be protected. Burial sites older than 60 years are protected by the NHRA and those younger than 60 years are protected by the Human Tissue Act. Exhumation of graves must confirm to the standards set out in the ordinance on excavation (Ordinance no.12 of 1980 which replaced the old Transvaal Ordinance no.7 of 1925.