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Jan 20, 2024

WATCH: Tombstone mistake distressing for mom

A visit to the Lala Ngoxolo Cemetery in Crystal Park two months ago turned into

A visit to the Lala Ngoxolo Cemetery in Crystal Park two months ago turned into a nightmare for Cherry Erfurth of Northmead, when she discovered a tombstone of another child erected on her son's grave.

Erfurth said she is still waiting for answers from the City of Ekurhuleni about what could have occurred.

The devastated mother told the Benoni City Times that on the day she made the discovery, March 5, various special mementoes they had cemented into the ground at her son's gravesite were found scattered around the cemetery.

These included toys, two angel sculptures and a slab of marble with his name engraved on it. After being born prematurely, Erfurth's son, Torlquin Martino Joubert, survived for a few days but died on June 6 and was buried on June 11, 2010.

The tombstone now on her son's gravesite bears the name Chiedza Mokgope (August 12, 2008, to February 14, 2010). Based on information from the municipality, her son's gravesite number is 145 and the other child's is 146.

"I have been visiting my child's grave for years, whenever I visit my mother's grave at the same cemetery. On March 5, while approaching the gravesite with my two sisters, I got the shock of my life when I didn't see my child's belongings on his grave. I was beyond hysterical."

"We walked around the cemetery looking for my child's belongings. The grass was as tall as I was.

"It was such a shock. The last time I was at the cemetery, on Christmas Day, everything was normal," Erfurth said. "My child's grave has always been at this site. I know exactly where we buried him. This is not something I would ever forget or get wrong."

According to the mom, she has complained to the metro and asked for an explanation, but nothing has come of this.

The City Times has seen WhatsApp messages between Erfurth and an official based at the cemetery, in which he admits that the other family placed the tombstone on the wrong grave. The official alleges the family had no permit to install the tombstone and that they may have done this illegally, after hours.

"I was told that they are trying to locate the family but I have not heard anything further. "Right now, I don't know what to think. Did they bury this child on top of my child?

"Municipal officials told me I am within my rights to remove the tombstone but I don't want to disrespect this child's parents. I don't have the heart to do that.

"These parents also loved their child. I tried posting on all social media platforms to locate them. "There's nothing I haven't done to find the family. I have even contacted hospitals," said Erfurth.

The mother said she needs her child's grave back to what it was – for her own sanity. Erfurth is appealing to the family of Chiedza Mokgope or anyone who has information about the family to come forward and contact her on 073 159 9813.

The City Times tried to contact Mavutha Funeral Parlour in Daveyton, believed to have buried the Mokgope child, but their contact details are no longer in service. We are also awaiting comment from the metro.

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