By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Johannesburg has deployed traffic officers and additional weekend ushers to Olifantsvlei Cemetery after heavy funeral traffic, roadside parking and nearby infrastructure work caused delays for mourners and restricted access for emergency vehicles.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) said Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Thapelo Amad inspected Olifantsvlei, Avalon Cemetery and the Lenasia Crematorium following concerns about congestion and interruptions to cremation services.
Amad found that Olifantsvlei was under severe pressure during peak weekend burial periods, with the high number of funeral processions compounded by roadworks along the Golden Highway and Johannesburg Water upgrades at the Koudkoppies Waterworks.
Vehicles parked on both sides of the cemetery’s internal roads were further restricting the movement of funeral processions and emergency vehicles, JCPZ said.
“Recognising the need for coordinated traffic management, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has implemented a dedicated weekend deployment plan to ensure a visible law enforcement presence during peak burial periods,” JCPZ said.
Traffic officers will regulate vehicles, assist funeral processions and attempt to ease congestion inside and around the cemetery. JCPZ has also deployed additional weekend ushers to guide mourners and funeral directors to the correct burial sections and graves.
JCPZ said records showed that between 50 and 100 funerals could take place at Olifantsvlei on a busy day.
Olifantsvlei is a 400-hectare cemetery that became operational in 2016 and was officially opened in November 2017. It was designed to accommodate up to 800,000 graves as a long-term burial site for Johannesburg.
JCPZ said it had begun an extensive horticultural clean-up across active burial sections and areas earmarked for future development. The work includes grass cutting, vegetation management and the removal of overgrown plants to improve accessibility, visibility and security.
The entity is also installing directional signs and clearly marking cemetery sections to make it easier for families, visitors and funeral directors to locate graves.
Amad appealed to mourners not to park along internal cemetery roads, saying the practice contributed significantly to congestion and delays.
Separate operational problems were reported at the Lenasia Crematorium, where delays in the delivery of gas affected cremation services.
“While these temporary supply interruptions affected operations, JCPZ has implemented measures to minimise disruptions and restore normal service levels as quickly as possible,” the entity said.
Maintenance work inspected at Avalon Cemetery and the crematorium included clearing dry grass, removing fallen branches and intensifying horticultural work to provide a safer and more dignified environment for mourners.
Avalon Cemetery is a 172-hectare burial facility in Chiawelo, Soweto, and contains more than 300,000 graves, including those of prominent anti-apartheid figures.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that every resident is able to lay their loved one to rest with dignity and respect,” Amad said.
“Through these oversight visits, we have reaffirmed our commitment to working with JCPZ and our partner entities to implement practical solutions that improve traffic management, accessibility, and the overall experience for mourners.”
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