The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality wishes to sincerely acknowledge the distress, emotional strain and inconvenience experienced by families affected by the temporary suspension of burials at certain municipal cemeteries following the recent severe weather conditions across the metro.
This difficult decision was taken solely in the interest of public health, environmental safety and to protect the dignity and integrity of the burial process during this period of persistent heavy rainfall and flooding.
The recent weather conditions have resulted in severe waterlogging across several cemetery sites, creating unsafe and hazardous conditions. These include saturated graves, unstable soil conditions, flooded access routes, compromised grave integrity and potential environmental and occupational health risks affecting workers, undertakers and grieving families.
While concerns have been raised regarding additional pumping interventions, it is important to clarify that the removal of standing water alone does not immediately restore the structural stability and safety of cemetery grounds. Technical assessments conducted by municipal officials continue to indicate that certain sections remain excessively saturated, posing serious risks of grave collapse, soil displacement and unsafe working conditions.
The Municipality has already implemented a range of mitigation measures, including continuous monitoring of affected sites, drainage interventions where possible and ongoing technical assessments by relevant departments. However, the safety of residents, compliance with environmental health regulations and the preservation of dignified burial conditions remain the Municipality’s overriding priority.
The temporary suspension of burials is therefore a responsible and necessary precautionary measure and should not be interpreted as inaction. Burials will only resume once technical assessments confirm that cemetery conditions are safe, compliant and suitable to proceed in a dignified manner.
The Municipality extends its heartfelt sympathy and understanding to all affected families during this difficult period and appeals for patience, cooperation and public understanding as the metro continues to respond to the impact of the severe weather conditions.
Further updates will be communicated as assessments continue.
