City of Johannesburg Media Advisory
Councillor Ronald Harris, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, City of Johannesburg
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Graves could cave-in during the heavy rains
The rainy season is upon us and graves, especially the newly laid ones, may be at a risk of subsiding. This is as a result of a cemetery’s soil profile. The soil does not contain stones as it is meant to make it easier for digging, however, during heavy rains, the soil covering the grave becomes wet and heavy as a result of the soil being water logged and then sink into the ground.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), the custodian of cemeteries in Johannesburg can only restore the graves with the permission from the family. As such, JCPZ is appealing to communities to visit the graves of their loved ones regularly so families can timeously identify and report damaged graves.
JCPZ staff and contractors are on stand-by to assist with the refilling of such identified grave sites. This was also reiterated by Mr Reggie Moloi, Senior Manager, Cemeteries and Crematoria, who stated “Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo understands that graves are sacred to families who have laid their loved ones to rest. Our teams are on standby to restore the sunken soil at the grave that family members have identified”.
Residents may direct their enquiries to Mr Reggie Moloi on 011 712-6714 or email rmoloi@jhbcityparks.com or call the Joburg Connect Call Centre on 011 375-5555. Family members may also visit the office at the applicable cemetery to report sunken graves.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
Media enquiries can be directed to: Noeleen Mattera: Media Relations & PR Officer, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo T: 011 712-6722; E: nmattera@jhbcityparks.com; W: www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com.
Follow us on Twitter @JoburgParksZoo or on Facebook.
Councillor Ronald Harris, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, City of Johannesburg
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Graves could cave-in during the heavy rains
The rainy season is upon us and graves, especially the newly laid ones, may be at a risk of subsiding. This is as a result of a cemetery’s soil profile. The soil does not contain stones as it is meant to make it easier for digging, however, during heavy rains, the soil covering the grave becomes wet and heavy as a result of the soil being water logged and then sink into the ground.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), the custodian of cemeteries in Johannesburg can only restore the graves with the permission from the family. As such, JCPZ is appealing to communities to visit the graves of their loved ones regularly so families can timeously identify and report damaged graves.
JCPZ staff and contractors are on stand-by to assist with the refilling of such identified grave sites. This was also reiterated by Mr Reggie Moloi, Senior Manager, Cemeteries and Crematoria, who stated “Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo understands that graves are sacred to families who have laid their loved ones to rest. Our teams are on standby to restore the sunken soil at the grave that family members have identified”.
Residents may direct their enquiries to Mr Reggie Moloi on 011 712-6714 or email rmoloi@jhbcityparks.com or call the Joburg Connect Call Centre on 011 375-5555. Family members may also visit the office at the applicable cemetery to report sunken graves.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
Media enquiries can be directed to: Noeleen Mattera: Media Relations & PR Officer, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo T: 011 712-6722; E: nmattera@jhbcityparks.com; W: www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com.
Follow us on Twitter @JoburgParksZoo or on Facebook.
