03-06-2025
Residents blame metro for poor cemetery conditions
Outrage is mounting in the north of Pretoria as residents are at their wits' end with the Tshwane metro allegedly neglecting various cemeteries' upkeep.
The resting places of loved ones have been described as sites riddled with long grass, weeds, and crime.
Heatherdale Cemetery, in particular, has come under fire, with grieving families describing it as a jungle of disrespect.
Ward 98 councillor Dana Wannenburg condemned the metro for failing to maintain these sacred spaces, despite ongoing complaints and public promises.
'It's not just about overgrown grass, it's about respect. People pay rates and taxes expecting basic services, not to bury their loved ones in filth and fear,' he said.
Residents visiting Heatherdale Cemetery said they now have to bring their own gardening tools to clear burial plots.
Tombstones are obscured by knee-high grass and overgrown shrubs, making it nearly impossible to locate graves.
'It's heartbreaking. We couldn't find my grandmother's grave on Mother's Day. We wandered around like strangers in a place that should feel sacred,' said Marco Washington, a local resident.
Community members have also raised safety concerns over the thick vegetation providing hiding places for criminals and drug users.
'We've seen people using the cemetery as a dumping ground and a drug den.
'You don't know what or who is waiting behind the bushes. It's no longer safe to visit alone.'
Mosquitoes and snakes have also become a hazard, with elderly mourners particularly vulnerable to bites and falls.
Despite a commitment made by the mayor and the mayoral committee at a public meeting on May 21 to prioritise cleaning of the Heatherdale Cemetery, no action has been taken.
'We were told help was on the way. We're still waiting.
'How long must we beg to be treated with dignity?'
Wannenburg has called on the municipality to take urgent action to clean and maintain all cemeteries.
Residents have started logging complaints through the metro's online portal and emailing municipal departments directly, in the hope that co-ordinated pressure will lead to change.
'This is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Our cemeteries must be places of peace, not danger. The city must step up, not only out of duty, but out of decency,' he said.
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