Clean up at Mooifontein Cemetery unite locals
The forum stated that after written concerns to have Mooifontein Cemetery identified as a priority by the CoE.
Members of the Thembisa Community Forum (TCF) embarked on a Mooifontein Cemetery clean-up operation on August 20.
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This follows a meeting by the TCF with the City of Ekurhuleni department of parks and cemeteries on August 15.
According to the TCF, the state of the cemetery had been dissatisfactory for years leaving the community to clean up themselves.
“It’s been years that the Mooifontein Cemetery standards have been deteriorating in front of our eyes.
“Now it’s time for us as community members to stand up to reclaim our ancestors’ resting place and restore dignity,” said the Thembisa Community Forum spokesperson Xolani Mnisi.
Members picked up rubbish that had been polluting the area including litter dumped illegally.
In the meeting with the department of parks and cemeteries, the forum raised several concerns regarding the state of Mooifontein and other cemeteries around Thembisa.
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These included waterlogged sections and sewerage leakages around the cemetery, illegal dumping, the state of infrastructure and stolen fences, available burial space and new burial sites for Thembisans and issues with informal settlements around Mooifontein Cemetery.
The forum stated that after written concerns to have Mooifontein Cemetery identified as a priority by the CoE, waterlogged areas are currently being drained and the blocked sewerage is awaiting the department of water and sanitation to repair.
Other resolutions to their issues included the department of parks and cemeteries engaging with the department of water and sanitation regarding dealing with sewerage from residential areas next to the cemetery and the cemetery being opened for burial in suitable dry space with up to 200 burial spaces to be made available.
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“The department of cemeteries and parks is still engaging real estate and the city manager to look into other lands that include both private and state-owned land for future burials.
Although Crystal Park cemetery was suggested the TCF objected due to distance.
“A meeting with residents that reside next to the cemetery and other stakeholders will be confirmed and this meeting will address the issues that broader Thembisans have raised concerning how the cemetery is vandalized, the extent of illegal dumping and children playing in the burial site.”
According to Mnisi the CoE provided waste collection vehicles to collect the waste during the residents’ cleaning campaign and the department of real estate will request a re-installation of a new fence and improvement of other infrastructure like toilets.
“Efforts to clean up the illegal dumping in the cemetery will also be encouraged by the residents.
“A date will be announced, preferably during the week, for cleaning due to burials taking place on weekends.
“The EMPD and private security will be engaged regarding safety and security in the cemetery and for the enforcement of by-laws.”
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“It’s not going to be a one-day job, but as of today, we are reclaiming our ancestors’ resting place and restoration of dignity.
“We also ask community members to join us in support of the community cleaning campaign at Mooifontein,” said Mnisi.
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