state of the cemetery<\/a> and waterlogged graves at gates four and five.<\/p>\n\n\n\nResponding to queries at the time, Patricia van der Ross, the City\u2019s Mayco member for community services and health, admitted there was a \u201cwater table\u201d problem at Gate Four and Four A at the cemetery due to underground water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Van der Ross stated, \u201cthe teams were onsite to pump the water on Tuesday 8 August\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When People\u2019s Post <\/span>visited the cemetery on Tuesday 15 August certain graves were still inaccessible. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSalie says: \u201cI saw the people from the City here but I don\u2019t think they pumped any water out. I must still stand at a distance when I visit my cousin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t 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\u2019 graves flooded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salie says as a family they are angry and frustrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Van der Ross, early and heavier rainfall than usual this year contributed to the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDespite 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEarly 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says the winter water table generally rises from June to September. \u201cHowever, the highest winter water table levels are being experienced earlier this year,\u201d she explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Van der Ross, alternative burial space is being provided near the railway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, this does not guarantee that there will not be water issues since other parts of the cemetery are also susceptible to seasonal groundwater.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross says the City regularly communicates with undertakers regarding the conditions at cemeteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe undertakers are the point of contact for families, who are fully versed about the circumstances and serve as a conduit for information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUndertakers 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\u2019s control due to nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross urged undertakers to take their clients to the cemeteries at which they intend to book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cif not to their satisfaction\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thana says: \u201cIf 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\u2019t do it. But that is supposed to be the procedure.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thana says while they receive communication from the City, as undertakers, they have no authority to choose grave sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross says they are striving to provide dignified burial spaces at cemeteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross did not provide a time frame on when this will happen. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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City 'strives to provide dignified graves' following flooded graves complaints | People's Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/city-strives-to-provide-dignified-graves-following-flooded-graves-complaints-20230829\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"City 'strives to provide dignified graves' following flooded graves complaints\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cThey are lying, they did nothing here. 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We still cannot access our cousin\u2019s grave site.\u201d So says Ismail Salie, a Kensington resident, lamenting flooded graves at Maitland Cemetery.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/city-strives-to-provide-dignified-graves-following-flooded-graves-complaints-20230829\/","og_site_name":"People's Post","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","article_published_time":"2023-08-29T04:03:21+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-19T19:18:53+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1440,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0b9cffef3d424b97867b67c9319bfff1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kaylynne Bantom","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_site":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"People's Post","Est. reading time":"4 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'strives to provide dignified graves' following flooded graves complaints | People's 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"News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/97c47657de7c49ca8b287a28c366204a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/97c47657de7c49ca8b287a28c366204a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/97c47657de7c49ca8b287a28c366204a.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/97c47657de7c49ca8b287a28c366204a.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/97c47657de7c49ca8b287a28c366204a.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 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Photo: supplied","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JkbCemetery.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JkbCemetery.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JkbCemetery.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JkbCemetery.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46102,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/grassy-parks-burial-crisis-city-of-cape-town-considers-gilray-scouts-campsite-as-solution-20240522\/","url_meta":{"origin":48865,"position":3},"title":"Grassy Park’s burial crisis: City of Cape Town considers Gilray Scouts Campsite as solution","author":"People's Post","date":"23 May 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"With less than a year\u2019s worth of burial space estimated left at Klip Road Cemetery in Grassy Park, the City of Cape Town has its eye set on turning the Gilray Scouts campsite into a cemetery.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/76fcee94c3654490909ad36fe55af67f.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/76fcee94c3654490909ad36fe55af67f.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/76fcee94c3654490909ad36fe55af67f.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/76fcee94c3654490909ad36fe55af67f.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":297721,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/no-respect-for-the-dead-maitland-cemetery-fire-sparks-safety-calls\/","url_meta":{"origin":48865,"position":4},"title":"\u2018No respect for the dead\u2019: Maitland Cemetery fire sparks safety calls","author":"Kaylynne Bantom","date":"10 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A fire that recently broke out at Maitland Cemetery has prompted renewed calls for improved safety and security at the site.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fire at Maitland Cemetery highlights security and safety concerns. 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This as the rain continues to wreak havoc across the Cape Metro\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/maitland_84119.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/maitland_84119.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/maitland_84119.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/maitland_84119.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/maitland_84119.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"People's Post","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48865\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48865"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=48865"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=48865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}