Recently Paarl Post received complaints about burials that are not permitted on weekends in certain areas of Drakenstein.
Many residents expressed unhappiness over having to use their leave days to attend funerals during the week, which is not always possible.
One unhappy resident Mutile Qezo says many people depend on their incomes and cannot afford to take leave every time they have to attend the funeral of a loved one.
He says family members often have to travel far to attend funerals, but doing so during the week it is more difficult for them. Qezo says this rule, which has been in place since the start of lockdown, is especially contentious for people living in Mbekweni.
According to Gerald Esau, Executive Director: Community Services at Drakenstein Municipality, the municipality can confirm that since the start of lockdown no funerals were permitted over weekends in the cemeteries managed by the municipality.
He said this was the case across the Drakenstein area – from Saron to Simondium.
“We cannot confirm if private cemeteries allowed burials,” Esau said. “In the meantime, most of the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and the municipality is currently discussing the way forward with regard to weekend burials. We will inform our communities and undertakers as soon as a decision has been reached.”
Paarl Post also spoke to a local church and funeral parlour, which all confirmed the rules of no burials over weekends applies to all areas. However, as far as they know, cremation services are allowed to take place over weekends.
