“They are lying, they did nothing here. We still cannot access our cousin’s grave site.”
So says Ismail Salie, a Kensington resident, lamenting flooded graves at Maitland Cemetery.
Salie was one of several families who recently reached out to People’s Post regarding the state of the cemetery and waterlogged graves at gates four and five.
Responding to queries at the time, Patricia van der Ross, the City’s Mayco member for community services and health, admitted there was a “water table” problem at Gate Four and Four A at the cemetery due to underground water.
However, Van der Ross stated, “the teams were onsite to pump the water on Tuesday 8 August”.
When People’s Post visited the cemetery on Tuesday 15 August certain graves were still inaccessible.
Salie says: “I saw the people from the City here but I don’t think they pumped any water out. I must still stand at a distance when I visit my cousin.
“I don’t even think the other people who have family buried here know how it looks. They would be heartbroken if they arrived and found their family members’ graves flooded.”
Salie says as a family they are angry and frustrated.
“Why didn’t they tell us about the water problem here? We pay money to have our family members laid to rest. So, to see their final resting place in this condition is sad.”
According to Van der Ross, early and heavier rainfall than usual this year contributed to the issue.
“Despite the fact that water is pumped from waterlogged areas, the depth of the water table can change and vary seasonally (rising or falling) depending on the time of the year.
“Early and heavier rainfall than usual this year also posed challenges due to the natural water table being very high in some areas of the cemetery.”
She says the winter water table generally rises from June to September. “However, the highest winter water table levels are being experienced earlier this year,” she explains.
According to Van der Ross, alternative burial space is being provided near the railway.
“However, this does not guarantee that there will not be water issues since other parts of the cemetery are also susceptible to seasonal groundwater.”
Van der Ross says the City regularly communicates with undertakers regarding the conditions at cemeteries.
“The undertakers are the point of contact for families, who are fully versed about the circumstances and serve as a conduit for information.
“Undertakers are aware that many of our cemeteries have high water tables in winter. Each client also completes an affidavit with a clause regarding the soil and groundwater conditions as this can be beyond the City’s control due to nature.
“The Recreation and Parks Department regularly communicates with undertakers and will distribute a circular to all undertakers reminding them of the current situation regarding high water table challenges as a direct result of unusually heavy rainfall this winter and that the Department is dealing with the situation as a matter of urgency and as best as possible given that this is nature.”
Van der Ross urged undertakers to take their clients to the cemeteries at which they intend to book.
She says this is so they can be aware of the area where the burial will take place and it will provide them the time to consider alternative cemeteries “if not to their satisfaction”.
Glenda Thana, Director at El Joy Funeral Services, confirms that regular communication is received from the Recreation and Parks Department regarding high water table challenges at cemeteries.
Thana says: “If we receive an email from the City, we will tell our clients and ask them if they want to proceed with the funeral. Some undertakers don’t do it. But that is supposed to be the procedure.”
Thana says while they receive communication from the City, as undertakers, they have no authority to choose grave sites.
Van der Ross says they are striving to provide dignified burial spaces at cemeteries.
“We are doing our utmost to rectify the situation. We will bring in the sand in order to help drain, stabilise, and fill in the affected ground area, drain water as far as possible with a pump, and dig trenches on the outskirts to drain out the water.”
Van der Ross did not provide a time frame on when this will happen.
