AFTER three years of searching through an overgrown and neglected cemetery, Nirri Cole finally found her fallen police officer father’s grave thanks to dedicated local volunteers. 

Her emotional reunion brings closure while highlighting the dire state of Mountain Rise Cemetery.

With local volunteer, Deon van Niekerk, and his dedicated team cleaning up the Mountain Rise Cemetery, Cole was able to visit the final resting place of her late father, Nathamoney Pandarum, a respected police officer who died in the line of duty in 1988.

“My dad was a humble man from a respected family,” said Cole, who lives in Belfort and works as a unit administrative assistant at Mediclinic in Pietermaritzburg. 

“He was known as the ‘laughing policeman’ because of his pleasant nature and he always smiled. He had a kind heart and a smile for everyone,” she said.

Her father, who was from Isipingo, relocated to Pietermaritzburg in the 1970s and served in the Railway Police.

In 1986, when the Railway Police was integrated into the South African Police, he continued his service until he was tragically killed in the line of duty at the age of 47.

Cole said visiting his grave had become increasingly difficult over the years, especially with the state of the Mountain Rise Cemetery.

She last attempted to locate the site in 2022, but was met with overgrown grass, unsafe surroundings, and a sense of helplessness.

“The cemetery is covered with overgrown grass and bushes. It is unkempt and not safe for us to visit our loved ones. The grass is so long you cannot even see the tombstones from the road. There are a lot of vagrants loitering around and petty crime is rampant,” she said.

Cole said the family felt a void not visiting their father’s grave.

“We did not feel good not being able to visit the grave and put flowers like we used to in the past. We felt like a part of us was missing but there was nothing we could do. 

“I am the eldest of three siblings. My one sibling is late. There are also  grandchildren of which one is also late. My sister and her daughter’s ashes are also buried in my dad’s grave. We have not been able to pay tribute to them.

“My sister was 49-years-old when she died from Covid, in 2021, and her daughter was 29. She passed away two months later. She committed suicide. We were devastated and not being able to visit the gravesite added to our pain,” Cole added.

She said she found a glimmer of hope when she stumbled on a Facebook post by Van Niekerk, a volunteer who had been helping families – especially those of SAPS members and war veterans – locate the graves of their loved ones who had been buried in the neglected cemetery.

“I commented on his post, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Thanks to van Niekerk’s help, Cole was able to safely locate her father’s grave, which to her relief, was still intact and in good condition.

“I felt proud to see the tombstone with the SAPS emblem because my dad was a good policeman and proud to be a member of the SAPS. I am thankful to the volunteers for their help which has brought my family closure and renewed hope. 

“Visiting the grave was a mix of emotions, pride, relief, and happiness. My family and I will definitely visit again, provided it is kept clean and well maintained by the municipality and free from vagrants,” said Cole.

The POST

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