The Greenhills Cemetery has been an embarrassment for months, if not years for the community of Randfontein.
The graves are overgrown, gravestones are damaged, not to mention the sewage that has been running down the paths for some time. It is an eyesore for everyone. As reported on numerous times, many residents feel it is too unsafe to visit their loved ones’ graves.
In the blistering sun on Friday, 12 March, the Democratic Alliance (DA) took up their garden tools and began cleaning the sidewalk of the Greenhills Cemetery.
Sina Erasmus, DA Ward 4 councillor told the Herald that they embarked on this initiative because it was difficult for them to see how the cemetery deteriorated year after year.
Taxpayers pay, but no services are provided,” a dispirited Sina said.
They used their own equipment to cut the grass and get everything neat, and will start cleaning inside the cemetery during the week. They are planning to be busy at the cemetery for at least a week, Sina said.
Phillip Montshiwa, spokesperson for the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) said the Department of Community Services is aware that the DA hired people to clean the cemetery last week, and the department approached the individuals who were hired.
The department informed me that it should be noted that all cemeteries within the jurisdiction of the RWCLM area are municipal property and therefore maintenance of such property by residents without permission from the municipality constitutes trespassing and is not permitted,” said Montshiwa.
According to the department, it is concerning that the DA proceeded to cut the grass at the cemetery, regardless of the fact that a public advertisement for the cutting of the Greenhills cemetery grass had been placed with clear dimensions of the area to be cut, therefore altering the scope of work of the service provider to be appointed.
“The procurement process is at an advanced stage and the necessary service providers will begin cutting before the end of the month.”
According to Phillip, in pervious years the RWCLM had the 36-month ‘as and when necessary’ tenders for grass cutting at cemeteries, open spaces as well as main roads, and the Parks Section employees were assigned to road servitudes, road islands, intersections, interior roads and parks.
Due to the financial constraints of the municipality, the department had to make do with the staff it had to maintain all areas that had previously been outsourced.”
He stated that unfortunately the department is struggling to keep up, especially during the rainy season but has been cutting grass as and when requested by councillors and community members within its resource constraints.
“Currently service providers are cutting grass at Toekomsrus cemetery, and a joint team of Westonaria and Randfontein personnel is currently busy cutting at Mohlakeng cemetery.”
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