The Soulbert Project, a non-governmental organisation focusing on environmental cleanliness, is urging residents living near Phatudi High School to stop dumping used diapers, sanitary pads, rubbish, and dead animals inside the Saulsville Cemetery.
Mashudu Makhado from the Soulbert Project told the Tshwane Sun that they have recently noticed an increase in illegal dumping inside the cemetery.
“We have realised that people are dumping rubbish and dead animals inside the cemetery. This is happening because the cemetery is not gated. There is no gate, which makes it easy for people to dump all kinds of waste,” he said.
He added that the Saulsville graveyard is a place that should be respected, but residents are doing the opposite.
“We have buried our loved ones in this cemetery. Earlier this year, when I visited the graves of my loved ones, I was almost in tears because of the state of the cemetery. There was rubbish everywhere, including dead animals, sanitary pads, and diapers,” he said.
Mashudu further stated that the people responsible are believed to be those living near the cemetery, and that dumping often takes place late at night.
“There is also overgrown grass at the cemetery that needs urgent attention. We are urging the council to cut the grass because it has grown excessively. We have lost our values as human beings if we allow such things to happen. People who have buried their loved ones are also complaining about the overgrown grass at Lotus Garden Cemetery,” he said.
He added that the organisation is doing its best to clean dumping sites around Atteridgeville and Saulsville, but they are disappointed by the lack of respect shown towards burial sites.
“Our cemetery has no gate, which allows people to dump rubbish freely. Some even engage in inappropriate activities late at night inside the cemetery. The council needs to erect a gate to prevent these incidents and restore dignity to the cemetery,” Mashudu concluded.