Maintenance work has started at the Brakpan Cemetery following complaints from residents about safety concerns and its deteriorating condition.

The Brakpan Herald understands that contractors have been appointed to clean up the entire cemetery, and the pavement entrance to the new section has already been neatly spruced up.

Grass-cutting has also commenced. This follows a public outcry over overgrown grounds, illegal dumping and inadequate upkeep at the cemetery.

As reported by the Brakpan Herald in January, the condition of the graveyard was causing serious concern among residents.

What is meant to be a decent, safe and dignified public space has become inaccessible to residents wishing to visit the graves of their loved ones.

After the festive season, the Herald was inundated with complaints from residents who feared for their safety while visiting the cemetery.

It was reported that community groups had to make special arrangements and provide their own security so that families could safely visit.

A visit by the Herald at the time revealed that the cemetery was so overgrown that most of the graves were barely visible.

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There was also widespread illegal dumping, ongoing water leaks and clear signs that unauthorised individuals are staying on the premises.

Brenthurst resident Pieter van der Merwe (76) has, for many years, assisted visitors at the cemetery escorting them to their loved ones’ graves.

He welcomed the clean-up efforts and hopes that the cemetery will be cleared soon, and will be safer for the public to visit.

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