Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries says Brixton Cemetery is deteriorating rapidly under the weight of illegal dumping, invasive vegetation, and security concerns, while Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo says long-term solutions require funding and co-operation from multiple authorities.

Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FoJC) has described the condition of Brixton Cemetery as critical, following a recent heritage tour that exposed widespread illegal dumping, waste burning, invasive vegetation, and damaged graves. FoJC representative Antoinette Morgan said the extent of rubbish scattered throughout the cemetery had become alarming during a visit on August 8. “Although dumping along Caroline Street has become a familiar sight, it was immediately clear that the problem had spread far beyond the perimeter.”

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She said refuse was found throughout the cemetery, with heaps of household waste dumped along internal roads, particularly those running parallel to Caroline Street. According to Morgan, people appear to walk across graves before depositing rubbish where it is less visible from surrounding streets. The entrances from Krause Street remain among the worst affected areas.
Morgan also witnessed waste being burnt near Caroline Street during the heritage tour. She said security guards approached a man tending the fire, but she did not observe the interaction. She later raised the matter with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) in an email, questioning whether a clear reporting process exists between contracted security personnel and City Parks officials, saying community groups are unaware of how incidents are escalated.

FoJC has repeatedly called for stronger security measures, including a secure perimeter fence, lockable access gates, and controlled entry points. Morgan said the cemetery should remain accessible during daylight hours, but be secured overnight, similar to many public parks and other cemeteries. Without improved access control, she warned that maintenance efforts would continue to have only a temporary impact.

She also highlighted the spread of invasive Bugweed throughout the cemetery, with some plants exceeding 1.8m in height, as root systems damage graves and memorials. She warned that unless decisive action is taken, Brixton Cemetery risks becoming an overgrown dumpsite, rather than a place of remembrance.

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JCPZ acknowledged ongoing challenges at Brixton Cemetery, including illegal dumping, litter, vandalism, and unlawful activities around the cemetery perimeter. Spokesperson Jenny Moodley said the cemetery was inspected on August 7, and 11, when officials again found significant dumping, particularly near entrances and boundary areas. She said clean-up operations are ongoing because illegal dumping is a recurring problem rather than a once-off incident.

While some damaged headstones may be the result of vandalism, Moodley said many memorials have deteriorated naturally because of age, weathering, ground movement, and exposure to the elements. She noted that Brixton is a heritage cemetery, and that responsibility for maintaining individual headstones generally rests with families.

JCPZ said grass is cut about once a month during the growing season, while litter collection usually takes place every second week, with additional interventions where illegal dumping is severe. The entity also confirmed that invasive vegetation, including Bugweed, is treated regularly, with another programme planned before the rainy season.

Although JCPZ supports improved perimeter fencing, it said funding constraints and repeated theft of fencing have hampered long-term security improvements. The cemetery currently has five daytime security officers and three night-shift officers assigned to the broader Brixton Cemetery and depot precinct, supported by dog handlers. However, the officers are not law enforcement officials and cannot enforce municipal by-laws.

Moodley said protecting Brixton Cemetery requires a collective effort involving City Parks, law enforcement agencies, surrounding communities, and cemetery users.

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