Metro cuts services to east cemetery due to vandalism
“Despite the numerous complaints, the practise still continues which left the section with no option but to close all the taps within the graveyard and disadvantage the community that visit their loved ones.”
Vandalism at the Garsfontein cemetery has forced the Tshwane metro to close off some amenities.
The metro region 6 responsible for cemeteries said it has struggled in the past to deal with problems at the cemetery.
Region 6 deputy director Lorraine Maubudi said the theft of artefacts from tombstones, vandalism of taps, pipes, ablution facilities and the office block were some of the biggest problems.
“Despite the numerous complaints, the practice still continues which left the section with no option but to close all the taps within the graveyard and disadvantage the community that visit their loved ones,” said Maubudi.
“Water is currently only accessed at the office.”
She said community members also raised concerns that they did not feel safe “with all the loitering around the cemetery”.
Over the years residents have been complaining about seeing people bathe in the open while funerals were in progress.
READ MORE: Garsfontein cemetery a ‘disgrace’
Maubudi said naked bathing and the use of public toilets by the dwellers had reduced drastically since the closure of taps.
“Neighbouring estates and complexes also complained of the cemetery being used as the access to their properties.”
She said a meeting with residents was held and the resolution was that security companies be allowed access to patrol around the cemetery boundary wall criminals jumped over to gain entry into the security estate.
A new squatter camp said to be forming on the eastern side of the cemetery, Maseru, has allegedly increased human traffic at the cemetery as they use it as a thoroughfare to Woodlands mall.
Maubudi said the metro provided water to the squatter camp but a community leader there was “selling the water” hence dwellers continued to access water from the cemetery.
“Due to the tap closures some dwellers started digging to access the water from underground pipes,” said Maubudi, adding this was the reason the metro had decided to supply the area with water using a hosepipe.
Maubudi said his department continued the maintenance of grass cutting, tree pruning and repairing pipes at the cemetery.
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