Heavy rains sink graves at Olifantsvlei Cemetery [PICTURES]

Relentless rainstorms have left a trail of damage across Johannesburg’s major cemeteries, causing soil to subside and waterlogging numerous gravesites. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) spokesperson Jenny Moodley confirmed to The Citizen that while the damage does not amount to a structural failure of the cemeteries, prolonged saturation has caused soil to shift at Olifantsvlei, Westpark and Avalon. Rather than a widespread collapse of the grounds, Moodley stressed that these isolated instances of sinking stem from the unusually heavy rainfall of recent weeks.

JCPZ is calling on residents to visit the graves of their loved ones to assess potential damage. Because soil settlement varies from minor sinking to significant subsidence, Moodley said they have not yet released a total count of affected sites. “At this stage, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is unable to provide a confirmed number of affected graves as assessments are ongoing across the various cemeteries,” she toldThe Citizen.

“The impact has not been concentrated in a single section, but rather in isolated low-lying areas where prolonged saturation of the soil has occurred.” To assist with recovery efforts, the city has placed mounds of fresh soil and sand at the affected cemeteries. Families can use these resources to refill and compact gravesites that have dipped below ground level due to the rains. JCPZ reminded the public that it does not perform repairs or re-erect headstones without explicit family consent, largely to avoid allegations of tampering. Before hiring a stonemason to repair a headstone, residents must obtain a permit from the cemetery office, preferably during the week.