Secunda graveyard a disgrace
The pallbearer who was setting up for a small funeral service was ashamed that the families of those being laid to rest had to be subjected to such horrific conditions of the graveyard, with plastic shopping bags and empty water bottles that had been left behind from previous services.
SECUNDA – The sad sight of the local graveyard is just another reality that Govan Mbeki Municipality is even unable to grant loved ones some dignity where they are laid to rest.
Overgrown verges and graves, vandalised buildings and wall of remembrance, litter strewn all over the place, overflowing rubbish bins and even dumped face masks, are what greet those who are paying respects or burying their loved ones.
When visiting the site, a pallbearer approached the Ridge Times reporter and voiced his anger.
The pallbearer who was setting up for a small funeral service was ashamed that the families of those being laid to rest had to be subjected to such horrific conditions of the graveyard, with plastic shopping bags and empty water bottles that were left behind from previous services.
“This is disgusting! An absolute horrible sight for people coming here to bury their loved ones. Just look at this place, it is sick!” said the man.
The Ridge Times reported on the graveyard’s appalling state on 18 September and by the looks of things, things have since worsened.
The acting head of communications, Mr Donald Green, said the Bio-Diversity and Open Spaces Department is responsible for managing cemeteries in the municipal area.
“The team is cutting grass in public areas and municipal facilities, including cemeteries, following recent downpours that have contributed to the rapid growth of the grass.
“The municipality also bought 21 bakkies for various municipal departments. This is in addition to the tractor loader backhoes (TLB’s) and three waste-removal trucks,” said Mr Green.
He said all the equipment will help improve and accelerate service delivery across all areas of the municipality, including the cemeteries.
There is also no security at the graveyard, however, during the day, there is staff at all times from 8am to 3:45pm.
“The tombstones at the graveyard are the properties of the family or whoever bought the grave to bury the deceased, therefore, the responsibility of the damaged, vandalised or broken tombstone is for the owner of the grave,” said Mr Green.
He said if the public witnesses any vandalism of graves or criminal activity they are advised to report it to the local police or the GMM By-Law Enforcement Unit at 017 620 6327 or through the Call Centre at 0800 6000 01/2/4.
The public can also visit the municipal website to read about the cemetery by-laws.
