Management of mortuary in eMbalenhle ‘stresses’ about rats from the rubbish dumps around their premises

Management of a mortuary in eMbalenhle is worried that garbage thrown around their yard, causing a bad smell, might attract rats that will take to eating the corpses.

The mortuary management has tried to talk to the municipality about this problem, but to no avail.

“We are worried because we are working with the dead and we are scared that the huge rats we see outside in the rubbish, will eat the bodies,” said Gift Sindane, a branch manager.

“We told the municipality that community members have turned our business into a dumping site. We tried to clean the yard two months ago, but within hours it was again full of garbage,” said Mr Sindane.

He claimed that rats, the size of small cats, have turned the mortuary into their home.

Even customers began to question the bad smell surrounding the funeral parlour.

Mr Sindane fears the funeral parlour can be charged with non-compliance of the strict by-laws on mortuaries, although they are the victims.

“We reported this to the municipality because we tried to make them see what they are doing to our business while we are paying them for services.

“When we ask the residents why they dump their rubbish in our mortuary precinct, they say we are near the main road and it is going to be easy for the municipality to see that it is time for them to collect garbage.

“The residents say the municipality seems to forget to collect their waste.”

Mr Sindane is also stressed about the animal carcasses that are thrown outside the funeral parlour’s yard.

“It also attracts rats which are dangerous for our business. How we can explain to families if the body of their loved one has been disfigured by rats,” said Mr Sindane.

Mr Sindane believes the problem will be solved if the municipality regularly collects the garbage.

This will prevent the community from taking out their frustration on the mortuary.

The Govan Mbeki Municipality said they are sometimes unable to collect waste because of broken trucks.

“We have programs known as Ijima lokuhlwengisa in place to deal with illegal dumping areas. This was introduced by the executive mayor, Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma.

“Businesses also have a role to play. It is not only a challenge for the municipality but for all Govan Mbeki Municipality’s residents,” said GMM’s communication department.

They claim councillors always receive waste collection schedules.

“Residents and businesses must communicate with their councillors to know when the truck is coming to their area.

“Our plea to the community is to take back their waste if not collected and try to use recycling facilities that are available to minimise waste.

“Businesses must form part of the mayor’s initiatives to fight illegal dumping.

“We understand that the area next to mortuary is a waste dumping hotspot and we will talk to the eMbalenhle waste regional office to attend to the problem,” the municipal spokesperson said.