A follow-up visit by Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries to Braamfontein Cemetery, nearly seven weeks after a destructive storm, has revealed minimal progress in clearing fallen trees and debris, with concerns mounting over safety risks and potential damage to graves.

According to observations made during the site visit on March 19, the areas hardest hit by the February 2 storm remain uncleared. While a few small piles of branches have been gathered, most of the larger debris including tree trunks still lie where they fell.

Read more: Severe storm damages Braamfontein Cemetery, snapping trees like matchsticks

At the Enoch Sontonga Memorial, two fallen trees have been cut into logs but left on site, adding to what has been described as a broader pattern of incomplete clean-up efforts. In several sections, broken branches continue to hang precariously from trees, posing a hazard to anyone attempting to move through the area.

Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries member Antoinette Morgan said the situation has effectively rendered parts of the cemetery inaccessible and dangerous.

“We are very concerned that the situation does not seem to get any attention,” Morgan said. “Because the area is effectively a dangerous area to move around in, we cannot do a proper assessment of any possible damage to headstones and graves.”

Morgan noted that additional fallen trees were observed that were not visible in photographs taken shortly after the storm. In one instance, what appeared to be a second fallen bluegum tree was identified, although it remains unclear whether it fell during the initial storm.

The lack of clearance has also hindered any inspection of graves, particularly in Section Gen2B, where movement is restricted by tangled branches and unstable debris. Beyond the immediate safety risks to visitors, some concerns are that suspended branches could fall at any time, potentially causing further damage to headstones.

Also read: Braamfontein Cemetery ash walls being meticulously repaired

City Parks did respond on February 5 to the first media query and said that its Street Trees team continued clearing fallen branches and uprooted trees on February 6, prioritising hazards and obstructions. “The horticultural grass-cutting team, as part of its planned schedule, commenced on February 9.”

The entity added that they have dedicated teams, limited equipment and 24-hour standby capacity for storm responses. “However, widespread seasonal storms increase demand across the city, and resources must be allocated according to severity and urgency, which can extend turnaround times in parks and cemeteries.”

City Parks acknowledged the publication’s media query on March 23 for an update on the clean-up operations at the cemetery.

City Park rangers are currently on site busy with the removal of branches and aim to complete this within this week including the fallen trees.

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