Action on BCM’s overgrown cemeteries

THE Buffalo City Metro has set Wednesdays aside as the day for fixing cemeteries all over the metro.

This after members of the community complained about overgrown grass and broken tombstones in several cemeteries with some posing a danger to the public.

East cemetery in Baysville is among the few that are well taken care of and when the Dispatch visited it yesterday, there were black bags filled with grass strewn in between the tombstones. It looked as if BCM had recently cut the area but no workers were seen on site.

At Cambridge cemetery the grass was overgrown making it difficult to see the tombstones. The cemetery is the biggest in Buffalo City and is also among those that will be cleared by the municipality.

An isolated strip, seemingly cut by members of the community whose relatives are buried there, was neatly cut and stood out among the shoulder high reeds.

BCM has dedicated Wednesdays to addressing the backlogs and other challenges the city has experienced because of a shortage of equipment, staff and also due to budgetary constraints.

The intention is that all the cemeteries must be brought up to standard or at an “acceptable” level and to ensure that security is provided.

Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, BCM mayor Xola Pakati said the initiative was an ongoing project to ensure members of the public can access their loved ones’ grave sites.

“We are in the process of improving, managing and maintaining all of the public amenities across the city under which cemeteries fall.

“We are working on our cemeteries, replacing fencing like at the Cambridge cemetery and we also face many challenges like vandalism and criminal activity that needs straightening out as well.

“We've been working very hard to turn things around that will benefit the greater said.

He added that once the strategy was complete, members of the public could visit loved ones’ grave sites.

“We had to respond to the public's complaints,” Pakati said referring to letters received by his office and letters published in the Daily Dispatch.

He said it was an ongoing project that will see BCM workers keeping graveyards neat and tidy. community,” Pakati

Pictures: RANDELL ROSKRUGE RESPECT NEEDED: BCM has rolled out a turnaround strategy to address issues that affect cemeteries across the city. East Cemetery in Baysville is one of the well-maintained grave sites whereas Cambridge, right, has overgrown grass covering tombstones