I have visited the Zuurfontein Cemetery on several occasions since my last formal written complaint.
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Kempton Express newspaper published a front-page article on March 24 with regards to the way the cemetery has been allowed to fall apart.
The article stated that a multi-party coalition government passed the adjusted budget at the end of February, therefore, funds would be allocated to address the issues of neglect at Zuurfontein.
I have furthermore sent messages to Tracey Lourenco on the June 28, July 9 and July 22 to relay the message that conditions at the cemetery have not improved.
On my visit to the cemetery yesterday morning I picked up the following:
• Pavements and flower beds at the cemetery are still not being maintained.
• The weeds are still growing all over pavements.
• There were a few employees at the guardhouse area – one female and one elderly gentleman sitting eating and one gentleman who came out of the guardhouse.
When I asked who of them worked on the cemetery gardens, the response to my question was ‘Go speak to the staff inside the offices next door’.
To date I have had no favourable results in dealing with the office staff, only excuses or given phone numbers to contact authorities for more excuses and to be palmed off.
I have previously been told by a staff member at the Zuurfontein offices that the union told staff to down tools due to a lack of PPE and equipment.
Surely with funds now having been allocated, at this point, there should have been a plan made for the upkeep of this cemetery?
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There should also be a service level agreement in place. It is a criminal offence for me not to pay my taxes.
I would like to know why as a taxpayer nobody is dealing with this issue I have been complaining about since the beginning of the year.
Lorraine Porter.
Editor’s comment
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini commented as follows:
When the complainant visited the cemetery the ground staff was weeding and removing waste.
Any complaint brought forward by anyone is investigated to determine the facts. Thereafter if necessary, steps are followed to correct the situation should the need arise.
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The idea is to provide a service to the community and that is what the employees of the city are there for. Public participation and/or support are always much appreciated.
It must also be made clear that councillors and staff are here to serve the community and if the need still exist for us to engage any further and/or revisit the complaint, we shall do so.
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