"WE'RE NOT HERE FOR YOU"

AVBOB, Ceres handled my parents' burial in Prince Alfred Hamlet's cemetery in 2006. The concrete slab that covers the grave, cracked and collapsed causing the grave to fall in. Upon inspection I noticed that the soil below the concrete slab settled over time causing a gap between the concrete slab and the soil level. This happened because the soil was not compacted after back filling was done. On top of this the concrete slab cracked into small (approximately 200mm long )pieces. Upon closer inspection I found that these pieces of concrete were quite thin (about 50mm) and very brittle, making it possible to break with one's hands without much effort. This leads me to believe that the cement/sand mixture used to cast he concrete slab contained too little cement and no stone. Such a poor mix cannot support it's own weight over the two meter span of the double grave.

I personally reported this situation to the Branch Manager, Mr John Kannemeyer ( ********** 375) on 4 May 2018 and took him to the cemetery to show him the grave. He agreed with me that the cause of the damage was poor workmanship and promised to report it to his provincial office. I also sent him an e-mail on 11 May 2018.

On 15 May 2018 I received a response from the Area Manager, Mr Noel Scheepers ( ********** 333 or ********** 990) stating that AVBOB does not accept responsibility for the damage because their policy is to only guarantee their concrete work for three months and the marble stone for one year.

I believe this attitude of AVBOB is not in support of their slogan "We 're here for you". Considering that a grave and grave stone should last for many years (at least 50yrs) if there are no natural disasters like earth quakes or floods and that the cost was R17 000 in 2006, I expect ACBOB to repair the grave at no cost.