THE residents of Ekurhuleni have been complaining about the long grass at local cemeteries and blame Ekurhuleni municipality for neglect.
Grieving families have been scared to perform rituals at the cemeteries for fear of being mugged by thugs.
Now, with the long Easter weekend upon us, families go to their loved ones' graves to clean them.
MMC Leshaka Manamela mowing the grass at the Mooifontein cemetery in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni.
The SunTeam visited some of the graveyards in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, 27 March.
Joyce Mawela from Buhle Park near Germiston said many families were affected by the long grass at the cemeteries.
She said she had been to the Rondebult cemetery in 2023 and struggled to locate her late daughter's grave.
"The grass was long, and I injured myself when a tombstone fell into my left leg. I couldn't find the grave and had to leave without performing rituals," Joyce said.
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However, Joyce told Daily Sun she was relieved that the grass at the cemetery has been cut.
"At least, the graves are now visible from far. I hope the grass-cutting is not a once-off thing. The municipality must respect our dead next of kin and ensure that the place is clean," she said.
Joyce Mawela from Buhle Park near Germiston said many families were affected by the long grass at the cemeteries. Photo by Happy Mnguni
Joseph Steenkamp (72) from Boksburg said he would make a reburial at the family cemetery.
"We lost our cousin (62) who died on Thursday, 21 March, after a long illness. I visited the graveyard and was worried about how we would bury my cousin next week Tuesday," Jopseph said.
But he was glad to see that the long grass has been cut and the place kept clean.
Tumelo Mbele (49) from Dawn Park, near Boksburg, said he approached the municipality in 2023 and asked why the cemeteries were not maintained.
"I was told that the contracts for cutting the grass were no longer valid because the tenders were not renewed. I am happy that the long grass at the Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park cemetery in Boksburg has been cut, but I wonder if this was because of the Chris Hani wreath-laying ceremony that takes place every year in Apri," he said.
Ekurhuleni workers clean up the Primrose Cemetery on Wednesday, 27 March. Photo by Happy Mnguni
"I'm appealing to the municipality to put their house in order and maintain our cemeteries. Our loved ones should rest in peace and must not be affected by what is happening in the municipality," Stembiso said.
Ekurhuleni MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, Councilor Leshaka Manamela, said: "We're starting to see positive results from our ‘Clean Your Kasi Campaign'. We've prioritised grass cutting and cleaning our cemeteries ahead of the Easter weekend.
"We've allocated R10 million as part of the adjustment budget to replenish our depot equipment and reduce reliance on external service providers. We'll continue to clear the grass cutting backlog."
The long grass has been cut at Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park Cemetery in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni Photo by Happy Mnguni
Acting Head of the Department of Environmental Resource and Waste Management, Phakamile Mbengashe, said: "As part of his campaign, MMC Manamela has urged that we cut the grass in our cemeteries, including the Old Boksburg Cemetery, before the Easter long weekend. The grass at this and other cemeteries in the city has already been cut," Mbengashe said.
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