The metro is still working on the appointment of new contractors to maintain the local cemetery.
This is according to metro spokesperson Nhlanhla Cebekhulu.
Regarding the fence at the cemetery not being replaced, he said the metro is experiencing challenges as all types of fences are being stolen at cemeteries.
“We are looking at ways in which we can address this. The consistent replacement so far has been met with vandalism,” said Cebekhulu.
Cebekhulu pointed out that the first point of security is the public itself as they witness these vandalisms.
“We require our community to report them as they happen. The EMPD may from time to time patrol. However, they are also expected to respond to a variety of issues in the land of the living.”
Last year during October the metro told the Advertiser the contract ended on June 30.
“We are in the process of appointing a new contractor for full cemetery maintenance,” said Cebekhulu at the time.
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Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos has been up in arms about the cemetery since last year.
“I have been waiting for the relevant person to reply to my letter to explain why the Boksburg cemetery can’t be maintained.
“Regrettably, the metro, it seems, has failed to take into consideration residents who have loved ones buried in the neglected graveyard.
“My observation as both ward councillor and member of the Environmental Development Oversight committee is that the executive of the municipality lacks political will to expedite simple issues like getting maintenance tenders approved timeously.
“The current state of all cemeteries in the metro looks like the breakfast of a neglected dog. It is ridiculous to not have maintenance tenders of cemeteries and parks finalised after six months without any material explanation forthcoming from senior management.
“This continued anomaly is creating fertile ground for workers to tap into the overstretched overtime budget. Less work on parks and cemeteries gets done in productive hours, as overtime comes in handy under the prevailing circumstances in respect to the absence of maintenance tenders.
“It’s clear that the mayor did not get his facts right in his speech to council in November 2019, when he said that maintenance work and grass cutting would commence at cemeteries in December 2019 to accord dignity to those who parted before us.
