Rynsoord Cemetery leaks seemingly ignored
Calls to have leaking pipes at the cemetery repaired seems to fall on deaf ears.
“The state of the cemetery is a disgrace to the dearly departed, the bereaved and the community as a whole.”
These are the words of despondent City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) workers at the Rynsoord Cemetery.
Benoni City Times was taken on a tour of the facility on November 13, by Yvonne Rimer, a member of the Benoni Jewish Burial Society, to draw attention to numerous water leaks plaguing operations.
“Water gushing from taps and pipes is a regular sight here,” she said.
“For the past two years, I have logged countless complaints via the CoE call centre and app, yet nothing ever gets done.”
Pointing to one of eight major leaks, Rimer says she has even taken it upon herself to physically report these incidents at the Benoni Customer Care Centre.
“I have been given reference number upon reference number. Within a few hours I receive notifications that the matter has either been resolved or closed,” said the disgruntled community member.
“Yet, when I return to the cemetery the pipes are still gushing with water.”
Speaking to the City Times anonymously, a municipal worker said that employees are growing increasingly despondent due to these concerns not being addressed.
“The truth of the matter is, we do not have access to the necessary equipment nor do we have the tools to address these leaks, as and when they occur,” he said.
“We hear rumours that the metro will soon implement sweeping water restrictions, yet thousands of litres of water go to waste on their own property.
“Residents in Kingsway hardly have access to safe drinking water, but just down the road where they often have to queue to collect water from tankers, we have water leaking from pipes like rivers.”
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Gingerly traversing over the sodden ground, a metro employee searches the overgrowth to expose a pipe with water dripping from the end.
“We found a piece of metal that fits perfectly into the mouth of this pipe and used a rock to hammer it into place,” he said.
“In places where tap heads have been stolen we use thick sticks to try and block the openings. This is how we are trying to fix the problems around here.
“We would be able to do more if we were given the right tools.
“Cutting of the grass is left to contractors who arrive twice a year. We are here daily, merely keeping the dead company.”
Rimer continued by saying that although the Jewish and Muslim sections of the cemetery are in pristine condition it is no thanks to the CoE.
“We employ private companies to assist in maintaining the dignity of our sections. However, it is heartbreaking to see the utter deteriorating state of the rest of the facility,” she said.
“If we waste resources we get penalised yet the metro is not being held to the same standards of accountability.
“No one deserves to work under these conditions.”
A request for comment was sent to the CoE spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, however, no response was received at the time of publication.
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