Work in progress at Commercial Road Cemetery
Municipality committed to restoring the city’s historic cemeteries
Work to restore the dignity of the Commercial Road Cemetery is underway, with other city cemeteries soon to follow.
Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize said,
following a public outcry about the condition of the city’s Commercial Road Cemetery, the municipality is taking the necessary steps to ensure the dignity and historical value of the cemetery is restored.
Following a site visit to the cemetery by the general manager of Community Services, Mbongeni Mathe, and the chairperson of the Community Services Portfolio Committee, councillor Nokuthula Msimang, it was agreed upon that the cemetery needed to be restored to its former glory.
The visit resulted in a fence being erected around the cemetery to combat the vandalism that is plaguing the cemetery.
Councillor Msimang echoed the sentiments regarding the vandalism of the city’s historic cemetery, saying the vandalism of the cemeteries was concerning, including the appalling activities that take place at the cemetery, which calls for the municipality to consider urgent corrective measures.
"Along with the reports of prostitution that takes place at the graveyard, needles and contraceptives were discovered, as well as the theft of tombstones and the illegal removal of marble statues, including the fence and ornate metal gates that were removed and sold to local scrap-metal dealers," said Msimang.
Mathe confirmed the municipality is aware of the criminal activities that happen in the cemetery and how it continued to compromise the value of the historic site.
He said the portfolio committee wanted to install a fence that cannot be removed easily. "A clear view fencing will be erected at the Commercial Road Cemetery, followed through by the cleaning and removal of waste from the site," said Mathe.
He said he will ensure the graveyard is safeguarded, emphasising that all the city cemeteries will be treated with utmost respect.
Mathe added that it is the municipality’s responsibility to ensure proper maintenance of local cemeteries. The eThembeni Cemetery has also been fenced and maintenance work in terms of grass cutting is being undertaken on a daily basis.
“Attention is also being given to the Mountain Rise Cemetery, and extra human resources have been deployed to undertake maintenance work. The project of fencing the cemetery will be implemented soon,” said Mathe.
The Community Services Portfolio Committee will be monitoring the progress of Commercial Road Cemetery fencing project to its completion.