CoE responds to outcry over conditions at Geduld Springs Cemetery
After residents raised concerns about neglect and safety at Geduld Springs Cemetery, the City of Ekurhuleni has acknowledged maintenance challenges and outlined planned interventions.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) says the implementation of planned maintenance for cemeteries is experiencing many challenges, including the lack of personnel allocation at inactive cemeteries.
This is in response to an enquiry sent by this publication about the deteriorating condition of the Geduld Springs Cemetery.
On January 15, the Springs Advertiser published an article titled ‘Residents demand intervention over shocking conditions at Geduld Springs Cemetery’ which outlined the residents’ concerns over the years of neglect, vandalism and safety concerns have turned Geduld Springs Cemetery into an unsafe and undignified space for families visiting loved ones.
The CoE’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said that, according to the Parks and Cemeteries Service, the cemeteries are supposed to be maintained once a month. However, the last time the grass was cut was at the beginning of 2025.
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He says that the fact that Geduld Springs Cemetery is considered an inactive cemetery has led to inconsistent maintenance.
“The city has put in place a grass cutting contract as an intervention to augment capacity challenges and maintenance at Geduld Springs Cemetery is scheduled to resume as soon as the official grass cutting order has been issued,” Dlamini said.
One resident revealed that the municipality had previously cited a lack of machinery as a challenge. Responding to this claim, Dlamini said, “The city strives to fill critical vacancies and take measures in place to ensure speedy repairing of non-functional equipment as an intervention to address the said challenge.”
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In light of claims of unsafe conditions on the site, Dlamini explained that the EMPD is the custodian of law-enforcement matters.
“Parks and Cemeteries will continue to engage EMPD regarding safety-related matters at cemeteries as and when the need arises,” he said.
Dlamini says grass cutting at various cemeteries resumed in December 2025 and will continue in January 2026 until all cemeteries have been attended to.
“Maintenance of the set facility is going to improve as the City has put in place additional support to augment planned horticultural maintenance of the said facility,” Dlamini said.
