Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-02-05
Lenasia – Johannesburg City Parks has vowed to take action and address the issues related to the despicable state of Avalon Cemetery which has fallen into disarray and become extremely neglected in recent times.
Visitors to the cemetery have complained of long grass, graves sinking in, flooded roads and potholes.
Addressing residents at a meeting at the Saaberie Chishty Hall in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, Senior Manager of Johannesburg City Park, Reggie Moloi said their services are aimed at communities.
Moloi said the rainy season has made it extremely difficult to maintain the cemetery, especially the cutting of the grass which takes approximately 28 days every second month.
“Coupled with the rain we’ve been caught napping, but we ensure that the contractors are on site. I saw them yesterday, I spoke to them and I am going there tomorrow morning to ensure the work gets done.”
As for the road infrastructure, flooding and electricity problems, Moloi said these issues would be addressed with the relevant departments to ensure that immediate action is taken.
Moloi also indicated that his department is not responsible for attending to sunken graves in the Muslim section of the cemetery.
“We do not level sunken graves especially in the Muslim section, reason being is there are always these people that are there are doing this. They get hired by the families or Muslim community to makes sure the graves are always neat.”
“So our team will not become involved there. What we do as far as the Muslim community is concerned is to dig the holes and prepare for the burial,” said Moloi.
In response to a tweet by head of Crime Line Yusuf Abramjee who copied Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau and Gauteng Premier David Makura, amongst others posted pictures of the state of Avalon Cemetery with the caption ‘THIS IS UNACCPETABLE!!…Families can’t visit the graves of loved ones…very sad!’
City Parks responded by saying they are meeting and budgeting for the infrastructure of Avalon Cemetery.
Johannesburg City Parks has also confirmed on its twitter handle that it was assured that Avalon Cemetery would be maintained by the end of the week, which was confirmed by Moloi.
“The only thing I can confirm is that by the end of this week the cemetery will be clean because that is what I am responsible for,” said Moloi.
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