Staff and contractors of City Parks and Zoo remain on high alert after some residents reported sunken graves at the Olifantsvlei Cemetery.
Recent inclement weather caused flash floods in low-lying areas, which washed away the topsoil of newly used graves south of Johannesburg.
Cllr Margaret Arnolds, the MMC for Community Development appeals to communities to report all collapsed graves of loved ones recently buried at the Olifantsvlei Cemetery.
“City Parks and Zoo understands that graves are sacred to families who have laid their loved ones to rest,” adds Cllr Arnolds.
Johannesburg has 35 cemeteries and two crematoria under the custodianship of City Parks and Zoo. The Olifantsvlei Cemetery is a 400 Hectare memorial park capable of holding 800 000 initial burials. It is situated off the Golden Highway and has all the hallmarks of nature conservation.
The Olifantsvlei burial site has been classified as a Berm Cemetery, meaning that it only accommodates the erection of headstones as memorials for enhanced aesthetics and simple graveyard maintenance.
Cllr Arnolds urges residents to visit gravesites to determine any damage caused by the recent floods. She notes that technical teams will remain on stand-by to refill those that have collapsed.
Residents may direct enquiries to the Cemeteries Manager, Reggie Moloi, on 011 712-6714 or email rmoloi@jhbcityparks.com or call the Joburg Connect Call Centre on 011 375-5555.