Families urged to visit relatives’ graves in Joburg after floods

A gravesite in Johannesburg.

2 minutes

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), the entity responsible for managing parks, cemeteries, and the zoo, is urging families to visit the graves of their loved ones across Johannesburg.

This appeal comes in the wake of recent heavy rains that led to flooding, grave subsidence, and damaged headstones in several cemeteries, including Avalon, Westpark, Olifantsvlei, and Waterval.

“Our role is to advise the community basically to come out to inspect the graveside of their families, to then report any erosion that has happened on the grave or if a tombstone has collapsed,” says City Parks Spokesperson, Jenny Moodley.

Moodley has advised that visiting your relative’s grave as soon as possible can help prevent further distress.

She says addressing any damage now will make it easier to fix before the situation worsens.

Johannesburg City Parks has assured families that they are willing to assist, provided they have the necessary consent.

“With the relevant details of the grave, the name of the cemetery, grave number and the name of the deceased person you may register your request. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has placed heaps of sands in various sections of the cemeteries that is, of course, where families can access the extra soil and place it on the grave sites of their loved ones,” says Moodley.

VIDEO | Parts of the country have been experiencing heavy rains.

Meanwhile, an environmental scientist, Ken Smith, says municipalities should avoid low-lying areas when allocating grave sites.

“As we know, prevention is better than cure. So, the planning in allocating areas for cemeteries by municipalities takes into account heavy rainfall, considering relative flatography and keeping out of your low-lying areas which tend to have soils that are poorly drained,” says Smith.

Cemeteries are gradually reaching capacity, making them less suitable for new burials. As a result, City Parks is urging families to consider alternative burial options, such as interring up to two additional family members in the same grave.