When they buried their beloved father in June last year at the Westonaria Cemetery, a local family hoped to continue visiting his resting place and tend to the grave.
Instead, over the past eight months, the family has been subjected to more distress due to the state of their father’s grave. The family said setting up a tombstone has been impossible.
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A member of the family, who asked to remain anonymous, said that for almost a year, the family has been going back and forth pleading with the municipality to assist with levelling the ground.
“We have been requesting the municipality to put in the paving, so that we can put up his tombstone. We also want to put up a pillar, but we cannot do any of that, because the ground in this graveyard is not level.
The family member also said that what is even more saddening is that the family is not allowed to put down the concrete on their own, according to the municipal by-laws. “They have told us that they do not have the budget for the concrete. It is a only a concrete layer that they need to put in.”
The family member also complained about the lack of maintenance in the whole graveyard.
“There is someone sitting here, doing nothing. It is really terrible. If they can afford to employ a security guard, I am sure they can afford someone to maintain the grass and keep the grounds levelled.”
She said it is unfair that people are paying their municipal rates and taxes and only getting poor service.
“You even pay for the stand where your loved one is buried. The municipality is doing nothing, they are doing absolutely nothing and our issue is almost a year old already,” she said.
She said her countless attempts to get municipality to answer their pleas have been futile.
“None of the emails I have sent have been replied to, to date,” she added.
She the ongoing issue had affected some family members who simply want a proper resting place for their beloved father and husband.
“The municipality has charged us over R5 000 and we still pay our rates and taxes, but nothing gets done,” she added.
Are you also a concerned relative of a loved one buried at the cemetery? Say your piece by emailing us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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