Metro to fix cemetery
The Geduld cemetery's Wall of Remembrance, which has been badly damaged over the past few months is expected to be repaired by the metro in October.
Following the story in the Addie on September 5 about the vandalism happening at the cemetery, Councillor Dean Stone of the DA questioned the metro on promises they had made in June regarding the revamping of the Wall of Remembrance.
“In response to a letter in the Advertiser in June, Sam Modiba promises the residents of Springs that the wall will be restored by the beginning of August,” said Stone.
In September, there were no changes to the cemetery and the metro said, in response to the September 5 article, that because it was “an inactive cemetery and because of the bylaws of the metro, the memorial wall will not be repaired.”
“I ask on behalf of the residents of Springs why were commitments that where made in June all of a sudden changed two months later,” said Stone.
Stone said that the Sports and Recreation Department is spending millions of rands on the upkeep and maintenance on the OR Tambo and Chris Hani grave sites, “But for the average citizen of Springs who have loved ones buried in the Geduld cemetery there is no funds available.”
“Let me use this opportunity to apologise to Mandy van Vuuren and hundreds of other Springs residents who have loved ones buried in the Geduld cemetery,” said Stone.
Metro spokesman Sam Modiba responded to the request from the Addie for comment on Stone’s concerns by saying, “The metro wishes to apologise for the delay caused by procurement processes. The department concerned is waiting for official orders for a new gate, tree maintenance and fixing of the Wall of Remembrance.”
“It is anticipated that the repairs will be done by the end of October,” he added.
