AS the issue of the shortage of burial space in eThekwini remains a challenge, the municipality has set aside approximately R216 million to procure three sites to be used for cemetery space.
This was revealed at the hearing hosted by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) held on Thursday.
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The municipality has identified suitable land in Vulamehlo, Cato Ridge and Hammarsdale for cemetery space and it is envisaged that with their capacity, the sites will last for at least 50 years before they fill up. Two sites have been identified for crematoria in Phoenix and Umkhomazi.
Mayor Zandile Gumede said that the shortage of burial space in eThekwini was a serious challenge which the municipality had been dealing with for years.
“Migration to the city from rural areas and outside the country is increasing. This migration has led to over-crowding in urban areas,” said Gumede adding that the overcrowding then translated to more people being buried within the municipality.
Gumede added that the City was aware and respected the religious and cultural beliefs of residents who do not believe in alternative burial methods and this was the reason that the municipality was trying its best to identify suitable land that could be used for cemeteries.
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Gumede hopes that the addressing the land question will also assist in averting the situation. “We believe that expropriation of land without compensation will assist us in addressing these challenges of grave sites in the near future,” said Gumede.
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