VANDERBIJLPARK.  At least 25 Vaal Undertakers took the offices of the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) in Vanderbijlpark demanding a meeting with its Executive Mayor, Chief Whip of the Council, Speaker of the Council and the acting Municipality Manager on Wednesday.

Their demands come after two funeral services were stopped due to the non-availability of graves as mourners returned home with their deceased at the Evaton and Vanderbijlpark Cemeteries on Saturday, September 11.

Motsumi Phale, a Spokesperson of the undertakers said they have on several tried to engage with the acting managers of the ELM’s Parks and Cemeteries to resolve the issue, to no avail.

“For the past four years we gave memorandums on the issue to the ELM but received no positive response.”

After the protestors threatened to force entry to sleep in some of the offices, Thabo Ndlovu, acting Municipal Manager said he had contacted the mayor. They waved their hands to say they don’t want to hear anything from Ndlovu and stood their point to wait until the mayor and his team arrived before they could open all gates.

Among other of their complaints tabled was the issue of no water, no toilets and no proper roads leading to the graves.

“For each burial we pay R3 000 plus another R 250 for TLB to close the grave.”

ELM’s Executive Mayor, Gift Moerane arrived in the company of Ndlovu and met with the protesters. He said that he is aware of their concerns and promised to give serious attention to the crisis.