Africa-Press – South-Africa. The City of Cape Town has warned that recent heavy downpours have severely impacted several of its cemeteries.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross said the consistent rainfall in recent weeks had affected water table levels at some cemeteries, which could potentially have a knock-on effect on operations.
“While this is not a new phenomenon, the situation has been exacerbated by the prevailing weather conditions,” she said.
“This has been a very wet start to winter, and the impacts have been felt all around. Unfortunately, our cemeteries are not exempt, and we are working to manage the situation as best as possible.”
Despite the difficult circumstances, the Recreation and Parks Department said it was committed to providing access to burial services.
Van der Ross said undertakers and bereaved families should be aware that shallower graves might need to be prepared.
“Depending on water table levels at a particular cemetery. This will limit the opportunity to bury a second coffin in the same private grave,” she said.
The City said it reserved the right to advise against requests to reopen a family grave if it was in a waterlogged area of the cemetery, or recommend an alternate grave or an alternate cemetery.
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