eThekwini Municipality will reclaim unleased graves older than 10 years

WITH finite space available, the eThekwini Municipality appeals to the public to renew family grave leases and claim all unclaimed family graves across the city.

According to the eThekwini Municipality’s acting head of communications, Mandla Nsele, this is to ensure that all graves that are more than 10 years old are leased by the owners.

“If not, the municipality reserves the right to reuse all unclaimed graves. This will be done with full consideration of other agreements including 20, 25 and 50-year perpetuity leased graves,” said Nsele.

The public has four months, from 1 March to 30 June 2020, to lease, claim or renew grave lease agreements.

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“This action is necessary as most city cemeteries are at high capacity. There are 65 cemeteries and two crematoriums across the city, with about 9 600 burials and 1 200 cremations annually. The Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit (PRC)is running short of burial space as there are only nine active cemeteries and four of them will reach capacity by the end of 2020,” said Nsele.

Nsele noted that multiple burial alternatives can be made at family graves that are leased.

eThekwini Municipal Tariff permits the PRC to reuse graves older than 10 years.

“The strategy of utilising existing facilities for burials is to curb the problem of scarcity of land in the city,” said Nsele.

A lease can be renewed at the cemetery where the grave is or was leased. Residents can also visit the cemetery’s office where the grave is located to clarify any information that pertains to the leased grave. Payments can be made at a Sizakala Centre, or as advised by the cemetery’s supervisor.

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