The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) responded to concerns regarding the degradation of the 8th Avenue cemetery in Edenvale.
The NEWS was informed that vagrants are defecating, washing and living at the cemetery.
As a result, grave sites have been destroyed.
The EMM’s spokesperson, Mr Themba Gadebe, said the cemetery is one of 42 inactive cemeteries in Ekurhuleni and is maintained through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Cemeteries full maintenance contract.
He said that these concerns were raised as far back as 2012 and plans have been made for the upkeep of the graveyard.
“A contract was awarded in the middle of September and contractors were to start on October 1. Due to some challenges, the contractor was unable to start on October 1 but started working on Monday, October 6,” he said.
Mr Gadebe said the contractor is expected to complete two cycles per month, with each cycle taking about 10 days.
“This full maintenance contract includes grass cutting, road sweeping, pruning, weed removal and herbicide control,” he said.
According to Mr Gadebe, all inactive (no more first internments) cemeteries are maintained by contractors because there are no council workers assigned for these.
“The department responsible for cemeteries informs the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) every time vagrants are spotted. Hopefully, with the newly appointed contractor being visible at the cemetery, this will cease,” he said.
