Grass and vegetation were cut down at Primrose Cemetery on January 11.
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Previously, the GCN received many complaints from community members about the poor state of the cemetery.
Babereki Projects was tasked with cutting the grass at the cemetery.
Speaking to supervisor Danny Mphahlele, he said the challenge they face is that the grass grows faster than expected because of rainfall and fertile soil.
“The grass has already shown signs of growth from the other side of the cemetery where we cut the previous week.
In a month, it can grow almost knee-high.
“To keep the cemetery clean, we have to cut the grass at least every three weeks,” he said.
While the team cut the grass, he highlighted some of the challenges they faced.
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He said that besides the length of the grass, some weeds need more than a grass cutter.
“There are stones and artefacts covered with grass, and they keep ruining the equipment,” said Mphahlele.
Ward 36 Councillor Wendy Morgan said the grass in the city’s cemeteries and parks started to be cut last month.
The list of complaints previously reported included poor maintenance of the cemetery, overgrown grass, a broken palisade fence, and a difficulty in navigating the cemetery.
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The CoE said some of the vandalism of cemeteries takes place at a rate that cannot be policed.
“This puts immense strain on the financial resources of the city,” said spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
“Financial constraints are a reality in maintaining city facilities. Internal resources are assisting with work that requires contractors.”
He said the city had also received several complaints about other cemeteries in the city.
“The EMPD was requested to patrol Primrose and Mooifontein cemeteries, and there is security guarding the facilities.
“However, financial constraints are a challenge in increasing security arrangements at these and other cemeteries,” said Dlamini.
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“Communities around these cemeteries need to be active in monitoring individuals disrespecting and vandalising the heritage that cemeteries hold in the city by photographing violations, noting vehicle registrations, and notifying the nearest CPF/EMPD or SAPS stations,” said Dlamini.
