Most Enoch Mgijima Cemeteries Near Capacity, Annual Report Shows

The majority of cemeteries in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality are almost full, according to the municipality’s officially tabled 2024/2025 Annual Report (ITEM 1/2026).

The report, under the section dealing with Cemeteries and Crematoriums, states that the municipality operates nine functional cemeteries, with most nearing full capacity.

Majority Almost Full

The Annual Report indicates that many of the municipality’s cemeteries are “almost full”, while some are already full and require extension.

The report lists the condition and estimated remaining graves across various cemeteries, including Queenstown, Lukhanji, Ezibeleni (Old and New), Mlungisi, Ekuphumleni, Whittlesea Old, Masakhane, Malambile, Dennekruin and Tarkastad, with most classified as almost full.

Sada, Zola Township, and Hofmeyr/Eluxolweni are listed as full, with no burial space remaining.
Ilinge New Cemetery is noted as having remaining capacity.

New Cemeteries Developed

The municipality reports that new cemetery developments were undertaken during the period under review in:

• Molteno
• Tarkastad
• Sterkstroom

However, the report states that the Molteno cemetery project was not yet more than 90% complete at year end.

Challenges Identified

Under the “Challenges” section, the Annual Report highlights:

• Majority of cemeteries almost full
• Lack of marked and indexed graves in some areas
• Limited land availability for cemetery expansio

The municipality notes that it is responsible for the provision of grave sites, grave digging, and maintenance of formal and semi-formal cemeteries through its Community Services Directorate.

Informal cemeteries in villages fall outside direct municipal control.

Municipal Responsibility

The report further states that funeral undertakers apply to the municipality for grave allocations and must provide the necessary documentation, including burial orders and death certificates.

Support is also provided for indigent burials

The cemetery capacity information forms part of the municipality’s 2024/2025 Annual Report tabled before Council under ITEM 1/2026.