22/05/2026
New Jeshwang Cemetery Faces Threats from Grave Robbers and Stray Dogs
The New Jeshwang Cemetery, located opposite the SDA Church and the local clinic, is facing increasing threats from human and animal intrusions, raising concerns among residents about the sanctity of their loved ones’ final resting place.
According to Tamsir Gaye, who visited the site today, the graveyard has been frequently invaded by stray dogs during the night. More troubling, he says, are reports of unscrupulous individuals attempting to scale the cemetery’s fence to perform rituals and black magic, sometimes desecrating human graves in the process.
A self-appointed vigilante, who occasionally patrols the graveyard, confirmed that such activities occur with alarming regularity. “I have had to send many people away who were intending to perform black magic here,” he said. “The graveyard is neglected, and it’s vulnerable.”
Gaye claims to have discovered a freshly dug hole, suggesting that a human body may have been exhumed. “This is a grievous and heinous act,” he said. “We must act to protect our dead from desecration, whether for rituals, monetary gain, or other purposes.”
Community members are calling for urgent measures to secure the cemetery, including the installation of a tall perimeter fence, proper lighting, and the stationing of a dedicated guard. Local religious leaders, including the New Jeshwang Imam, as well as community authorities like the Alkalo, are urged to speak out and take decisive action.
“This is not just about protecting property,” Gaye emphasized. “It’s about safeguarding the dignity of the deceased and ensuring that the final resting place of our loved ones is respected. We must not sit by as Muslims while our dead are robbed or violated.”
The New Jeshwang community is now under pressure to implement measures to secure the graveyard and prevent further violations, ensuring that it remains a safe and sacred place for generations to come.
Credit: Basel Media
