The Lowveld Tombstones
Customers of Lowveld Tombstones who have paid thousands of rands for tombstones are facing uncertainty after alleged equipment thefts left the company unable to continue with its operations.
According to the company’s operations manager, Deven Pillay, Lowveld Tombstones has been experiencing financial difficulties, which resulted in some employees not receiving their full salaries in December 2025. He said the outstanding salaries were eventually paid in January, after which some employees staged a protest.
Pillay alleged that the situation escalated when some employees entered the company’s premises and stole equipment following delays in fulfilling customers’ orders.
“Since we could not deliver the tombstones to customers, some stormed into our premises and stole our equipment,” he said.
Pillay said the company opened several cases at the Nelspruit Police Station following the alleged thefts, but claimed that no action had been taken.
Daylight break-in leaves factory unable to operate
The situation reportedly worsened on Saturday, August 22, when the factory was allegedly broken into during the day.
Pillay said equipment and other property were stolen during the incident, while sections of the factory’s roof were also allegedly removed.
“We called the police and they refused to assist us after numerous calls,” Pillay alleged.
He said the company was aware that several customers had already paid in full for their tombstones and were still waiting for their orders.
“I want to give them what they paid for, but everything was stolen and we cannot work. There is nothing I can do to ensure that people get their stones,” he said.
The latest developments have heightened concerns among customers who are still waiting for tombstones they ordered and paid for months ago.
Some customers said branches where they made payments have remained closed, while telephone numbers provided to them are no longer operational.
They have also expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of communication from the company’s management.
Customers are now seeking clarity on whether they will receive the tombstones they paid for or receive refunds. Some orders reportedly cost more than R60 000.
The uncertainty has been compounded by the company’s current inability to operate following the alleged theft of its equipment.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the National Consumer Commission (NCC), Phetho Ntaba,has urged affected consumers to lodge formal complaints against the company.
Ntaba said the Consumer Protection Act protects consumers who have paid for goods but have not received them.
“The Consumer Protection Act states that consumers are entitled to receive the goods that they have paid for, failing which they are entitled to a full refund,” Ntaba said.
Consumers can lodge complaints through the NCC’s website, www.thencc.org.za.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that several fraud cases have been opened against the company.
Masondo said the cases will be centralised and assigned to a single investigating officer. No arrests have been made.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that cases of housebreaking and theft have been opened and that investigations are under way. No arrests have been made at this stage.
Regarding allegations that police failed to respond to the incident, Masondo urged the complainant to lodge a formal complaint.
“Regarding the allegation that the police did not attend to the complaint, we urge the victim to lodge a formal complaint so that the matter can be investigated internally,” he said.
