The Ekurhuleni metro has confirmed that three of the city’s cemeteries have already reached their full capacity.
According to metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, the cemeteries that had not yet reached full capacity could accommodate up to 39 000 graves altogether.
The metro has also seen a rising number of burial rate since beginning of this year, apparently due to increasing pressure from the Covid-19 pandemic.
To try and cope with the increased burial rate, the metro had to increase working hours, with staff starting work at 4am and knocking off 8pm.
Gadebe said the city has adequate burial space available at Petersfield Cemetery in Springs, should a scenario for mass burial arise in the city.
The city’s cemeteries that are already filled to capacity are in Phumulane, Nigel and Brakpan.
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