West Street Cemetery in Kempton Park to receive maintenance after resident complaints
Following resident complaints about overgrown grass, broken fencing and illegal dumping, the City of Ekurhuleni says maintenance at West Street Cemetery will resume from October 6.
The Kempton Express recently received complaints from residents regarding the deteriorating condition of West Street Cemetery.
Following the complaints, the Express visited the cemetery on September 25 and confirmed the poor state of the facility, noting overgrown grass, damaged fencing and illegal dumping. Several residents described the situation as shocking.
The City of Ekurhuleni was approached for comment. Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini stated that the city plans to begin maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery from Monday, October 6, 2025.
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“According to parks and cemeteries service maintenance standards, the cemetery should be maintained once a month during the peak season,” Dlamini said.
He explained that implementation of the maintenance programme faced numerous challenges, causing disruptions to planned activities and resulting in non-compliance with grass-cutting standards.
“However, maintenance will improve in the coming season as the city has added extra support to augment horticultural efforts at the facility,” he added.
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Dlamini acknowledged the damaged palisade fencing. Due to financial constraints and the absence of a fencing tender, repair timelines cannot yet be determined, but the issue remains a priority.
“Regarding vagrants, he noted that the Metro Police are alerted and remove them when reported, though they often return. “This is more a societal problem than a governance issue,” Dlamini said.
The city, in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Heritage Resources Authority, will conduct awareness campaigns throughout November to educate the public about the heritage value of cemeteries.
He explained that any restoration of gravestones or monuments is guided by the Cemetery and Crematorium By-Laws, which state that the city is not liable for damage or theft of memorial work. The Parks and Cemetery Division is responsible for managing all cemetery-related concerns.
Photo: Kamogelo Magolo.
Residents can report vandalism, illegal dumping or neglect to law enforcement agencies or directly to the Parks and Cemetery Division.
Submissions regarding cemeteries in the northern part of the city can be sent to [email protected]
Dlamini highlighted that the city’s maintenance budget is limited and shared among all cemeteries, and public-private partnerships are encouraged to help preserve local history.
“There are currently no long-term restoration plans for West Street Cemetery in the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP),” he added, urging communities to participate in the IDP process to ensure their needs are considered in multi-year budgeting.
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The city is also working with its communications and marketing department to improve cemetery signage and incorporate historical information where possible.
The Express contacted Clr Simon Lapping, whose ward includes West Street Cemetery, for comment on September 25, requesting a response by September 29. No comment had been received by the time of going to print.
