Watch: Mooifontein Cemetery continues to deteriorate
The state of Mooifontein cemetery continues to get worse after numerous measures to improve it.
The Mooifontein Cemetery continues to fall into disrepair despite efforts by the local municipality and community groups to address the worsening conditions.
Most recently, concerns have been raised about a sinkhole forming at the cemetery, further threatening the integrity of gravesites.
This comes on top of unresolved issues from last year when a burst pipe caused water to damage graves.
@kemptonexpress Graves of Neglect: Heartbreaking State of Mooifontein Cemetery Exposed PART 1: Resting in Ruin The Kempton Express has been closely following the heartbreaking deterioration of Mooifontein Cemetery, where neglect and mismanagement have pushed families to make the unthinkable decision to exhume and rebury their loved ones. In October 2023, a family was devastated when their loved one’s grave caved in due to a burst pipe leaking water onto the site. With heavy hearts, they moved the burial to the Eastern Cape, citing unbearable conditions. By May 2024, another grieving family chose to relocate their loved one to a cleaner section of the same cemetery, away from pollution and stagnant water. Amidst the outcry, local residents and groups like the Tembisa Community Forum have stepped in where the municipality has failed. “We couldn’t watch the cemetery fall into further ruin,” said spokesperson Xolani Mnisi, who led a community-driven clean-up campaign. This two-part series delves into the causes and consequences of the cemetery’s shocking state and the community’s fight to restore dignity to this final resting place. #kemptonpark #KemptonExpress #local #Crime #SAPS #LocalNews #cemetery #ekurhuleni
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The waterlogged conditions led to graves caving in, forcing two families to exhume and rebury their loved ones.
One family opted for a different section of the cemetery and the other relocated to an entirely new cemetery.
A recent visit by Kempton Express revealed that the burst pipe remains unfixed, with water leakage still making parts of the cemetery inaccessible.
“Graves continue to cave in due to the water, making it harder for visitors to pay respects to their loved ones,” noted a concerned resident.
Adding to the woes, the cemetery’s proximity to the Vusimuzi informal settlement has resulted in persistent pollution.
Garbage piles up in sections adjacent to the settlement, with little improvement despite previous cleanup efforts.
In January, the City of Ekurhuleni launched a cleanup campaign called “Clean Your Kasi, Manje Namhlanje,” led by MMC for Environmental Resource and Waste Management (ERWM), Leshaka Manamela.
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The initiative aimed to encourage public involvement in tackling illegal dumping and overgrown grass.
However, despite this, overgrown vegetation continues to dominate large portions of the cemetery, and the area shows minimal signs of maintenance.
Last year, the Tembisa Community Forum also organised a cleanup campaign, appealing to Vusimuzi residents to stop dumping waste at the cemetery and to respect the dead.
Unfortunately, the pollution has persisted, with their pleas largely ignored.
Kempton Express reached out to the City of Ekurhuleni for comment on November 27, requesting a response by midday on December 2.
By the time of going to print, no reply had been received.
The condition of Mooifontein Cemetery reflects broader challenges in maintaining public spaces and respecting the dignity of the departed.
Residents and families of the deceased are calling for urgent action to resolve these issues and restore the cemetery to a place of honour and remembrance.
