The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has faced setbacks in its efforts to address water table problems stemming from heavy winter rainfall, particularly exacerbated by the severe weather conditions that plagued the long weekend.
The department’s tree emergency teams were also stretched thin, working tirelessly to manage the fallout. Several City cemeteries continue to grapple with operational disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions.
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Back in August, the Recreation and Parks Department implemented measures to mitigate the effects of the heavy rainfall experienced during that period. Unfortunately, the most recent round of severe weather has derailed these efforts.
In response to this critical situation, teams have been labouring relentlessly to clear fallen trees and to redirect, channel, and pump waterlogged areas.
Rusthof Cemetery, a burial site in the Helderberg region, has had to temporarily suspend burial services due to the flooding of cemetery access roads. The department is closely monitoring the situation and is actively involved in addressing the challenges posed by these adverse weather conditions.
The safety and well-being of residents and visitors remain paramount, and every possible step is being taken to enable cemetery operations to resume as soon as conditions permit.
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Other affected cemeteries, such as Maitland, Plumstead, Gugulethu, Langa and Ottery, remain open; however, certain areas where family graves are situated are temporarily inaccessible for reburials.
‘The impact on our cemetery operations is unfortunate, and we extend our gratitude to the public for their understanding and cooperation during this challenging period. Our staff is doing everything possible to return our facilities to their original state, safe for use by the public,’ remarked mayoral committee member for community services and health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
She continued, ‘The Recreation and Parks Department remains committed to delivering the best possible services to the public in our cemeteries and public open spaces, and also in dealing with tree emergencies. We saw a marked increase in incidents reported over the long weekend. In fact, we had more calls over a three-day period than that recorded for the whole of winter, and work continues in this regard. I want to thank the staff for the hard work, particularly over the past few days.’
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Councillor van der Ross explained that, between 23 and 25 September 2023, emergency tree teams responded to nearly 150 incidents, which included fallen trees on buildings, power lines, obstructed roads and various structures. The period from May to August saw a total of 76 tree emergencies, more than double the number during the previous winter season.
These trees were reportedly cleared promptly to ensure public safety and subsequent cleanup operations were also undertaken.
For updates and further information regarding City cemetery operations, please contact the booking office or send an email to [email protected].
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Picture: Elizabeth Jamieson / Unsplash