City accused of showing disrespect to the dead

DURBAN North residents have spoken of their anguish over the state of the Redhill Cemetery which they say is disrespectful to the dead. Overgrown grass and weeds which have not been cut back in months has now covered most of the tombstones and headstones in the cemetery. One of the residents, Pam, who would only give her surname said she becomes horrified each time she looks at the state of a grave where her family members are buried.

“It was so overgrown I could barely see the headstones. It is an absolute disgrace. We all find it very distressing to see the cemetery in the neglected state it’s in. I feel sorry for other families who visit and put flowers on the graves. My grandchildren also find it extremely upsetting to see the graves in such a state. This is someone’s grave. People have loved ones out here. This is unacceptable, it really is. If this was a family member of a municipal or government official, they would be angry and very upset,” she said.

Another resident, Sid Cunha, whose father is buried at the cemetery said the City should be held responsible.
“This is utterly disgusting to see what the cemetery looks like. The grass around my father’s grave site is completely overgrown. I feel the managers and council officials should be held responsible,” he said.

Robin Candy, chairman of the Greenwood Park CPF said he and the local councillor had been battling for months to get the overgrown grass cut back.

“It is disrespectful to the dead. I can’t remember the last time they cut the grass. The security of the cemetery has certainly been improved but the state of the sites is just shocking. In some places, the grass is higher than waist high. We have sent numerous e-mails to municipal officials but there’s been no response. Some people have just given up on phoning and e-mailing the City,” he said.

There has been no response from the City despite attempts to get hold of the municipality’s Parks, Leisure, Cemeteries, Recreation and Culture department.