ETHEKWINI Municipality appeals to the public to renew leases for family graves and to reclaim all unclaimed family graves across the city.
This is to ensure that all graves which are over 10 years old are leased by the owners. If not, the municipality reserves the right to re-use all unclaimed graves.
“This will be done with full consideration of other agreements including 25 and 50 year perpetuity leased graves. The public has four months to come forward to lease, claim or renew lease agreements of graves. This action is necessary as most city cemeteries are at high capacity,” said communications head, Tozi Mthethwa.
There are 65 cemeteries and two crematoriums across the city with around 9,600 burials and 1,200 cremations taking place annually.
The Cemeteries and Crematorium Department is running short of burial space as currently there are only 17 active cemeteries.
The remaining 48 cemeteries are full. However multiple burials can be done at family graves that are being leased.
Alternate solutions have to be sought as the population of Durban is increasing rapidly at about 4.5% annually, according to the 2013 Census.
Coupled with the high mortality rate, practical solutions are needed. The department’s strategy going forward is to review leased graves and invite the public to come forward and claim and lease family graves for multiple burials.
The strategy of utilising existing facilities for burials is to curb the problem of scarcity of land in the city.
A public announcement has been made to inform the public to come forward and claim family graves. This will be further communicated through road shows, pamphlet distribution, radio announcements, online communication and notices at Sizakala Centres.
