MEDIA STATEMENT
Monday, 13 July 2026
No embargo
MMC Thapelo Amad conducts oversight visits to strengthen cemetery and crematorium service delivery
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) acknowledges the concerns raised by residents, mourners and funeral directors regarding traffic congestion at Olifantsvlei Cemetery as well as operational challenges affecting cremation services at the Avalon/Lenasia Cemetery and Crematorium.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, Councillor Thapelo Amad, conducted oversight visits to Olifantsvlei Cemetery and the Avalon/Lenasia Cemetery and Crematorium on Friday, 10 July 2026, to assess the challenges firsthand and monitor interventions being implemented by JCPZ and its stakeholders.
At Olifantsvlei Cemetery, the MMC observed the significant pressure placed on the facility during weekends, when between 50 and 100 funerals may be conducted. The high number of burials, coupled with ongoing roadworks along the Golden Highway and Johannesburg Water's infrastructure upgrades to the Koudkoppies Water Works, has contributed to traffic congestion and delays experienced by mourners.
The challenge is further compounded by vehicles parking along both sides of the cemetery's internal roads, restricting the movement of funeral processions and emergency vehicles. With a limited number of active cemeteries serving the southern region of Johannesburg, Olifantsvlei continues to accommodate a substantial proportion of burial requests, placing additional pressure on the 200- hectare facility.
In response, JCPZ has implemented a number of interventions to improve operations and the experience of mourners. An extensive horticultural blitz has been undertaken across both active burial sections and future development areas, including grass cutting, vegetation management and the removal of overgrown vegetation to improve accessibility, visibility and security.
The entity is also in the process of installing comprehensive wayfinding signage and clearly demarcating cemetery sections to assist families, funeral directors and visitors in locating burial sections and allocated graves more efficiently within the expansive cemetery.
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. Officers are deployed to regulate traffic, facilitate the movement of funeral processions and minimise congestion within and around the cemetery.
To further support grieving families, JCPZ has deployed additional weekend cemetery ushers who work closely with funeral directors to guide mourners to the correct cemetery sections and allocated graves, assist with navigation and ensure the orderly movement of funeral processions throughout the day.
The MMC also appealed to mourners and visitors to avoid parking along internal cemetery roads, as this significantly contributes to congestion and delays.
During the oversight visit to the Avalon/Lenasia Cemetery and Crematorium, Councillor Amad was briefed on recent delays in the delivery of gas required for 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 MMC also inspected ongoing maintenance and environmental improvement initiatives at the facility, including the clearing of dry grass, removal of fallen branches and intensified horticultural maintenance to provide a cleaner, safer and more dignified environment for mourners and visitors.
Councillor Thapelo Amad said the oversight visits reaffirmed the City's commitment to continuously improving cemetery and crematorium services through collaboration and proactive planning.
"We recognise the emotional significance of these facilities and understand the frustration experienced by families when operational challenges arise. Our responsibility is to ensure that every resident is able to lay their loved one to rest with dignity and respect. 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."
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo remains committed to providing safe, dignified and efficient burial and cremation services. The entity will continue working closely with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Johannesburg Water, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and funeral industry stakeholders to address infrastructure constraints, strengthen traffic management and enhance service delivery across its cemetery network.
Issued by: Councillor Thapelo Amad
MMC for Community Development
City of Johannesburg
Media enquiries: Jenny Moodley
Spokesperson: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
082 803 0748
jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
Monday, 13 July 2026
No embargo
MMC Thapelo Amad conducts oversight visits to strengthen cemetery and crematorium service delivery
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) acknowledges the concerns raised by residents, mourners and funeral directors regarding traffic congestion at Olifantsvlei Cemetery as well as operational challenges affecting cremation services at the Avalon/Lenasia Cemetery and Crematorium.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, Councillor Thapelo Amad, conducted oversight visits to Olifantsvlei Cemetery and the Avalon/Lenasia Cemetery and Crematorium on Friday, 10 July 2026, to assess the challenges firsthand and monitor interventions being implemented by JCPZ and its stakeholders.
At Olifantsvlei Cemetery, the MMC observed the significant pressure placed on the facility during weekends, when between 50 and 100 funerals may be conducted. The high number of burials, coupled with ongoing roadworks along the Golden Highway and Johannesburg Water's infrastructure upgrades to the Koudkoppies Water Works, has contributed to traffic congestion and delays experienced by mourners.
The challenge is further compounded by vehicles parking along both sides of the cemetery's internal roads, restricting the movement of funeral processions and emergency vehicles. With a limited number of active cemeteries serving the southern region of Johannesburg, Olifantsvlei continues to accommodate a substantial proportion of burial requests, placing additional pressure on the 200- hectare facility.
In response, JCPZ has implemented a number of interventions to improve operations and the experience of mourners. An extensive horticultural blitz has been undertaken across both active burial sections and future development areas, including grass cutting, vegetation management and the removal of overgrown vegetation to improve accessibility, visibility and security.
The entity is also in the process of installing comprehensive wayfinding signage and clearly demarcating cemetery sections to assist families, funeral directors and visitors in locating burial sections and allocated graves more efficiently within the expansive cemetery.
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. Officers are deployed to regulate traffic, facilitate the movement of funeral processions and minimise congestion within and around the cemetery.
To further support grieving families, JCPZ has deployed additional weekend cemetery ushers who work closely with funeral directors to guide mourners to the correct cemetery sections and allocated graves, assist with navigation and ensure the orderly movement of funeral processions throughout the day.
The MMC also appealed to mourners and visitors to avoid parking along internal cemetery roads, as this significantly contributes to congestion and delays.
During the oversight visit to the Avalon/Lenasia Cemetery and Crematorium, Councillor Amad was briefed on recent delays in the delivery of gas required for 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 MMC also inspected ongoing maintenance and environmental improvement initiatives at the facility, including the clearing of dry grass, removal of fallen branches and intensified horticultural maintenance to provide a cleaner, safer and more dignified environment for mourners and visitors.
Councillor Thapelo Amad said the oversight visits reaffirmed the City's commitment to continuously improving cemetery and crematorium services through collaboration and proactive planning.
"We recognise the emotional significance of these facilities and understand the frustration experienced by families when operational challenges arise. Our responsibility is to ensure that every resident is able to lay their loved one to rest with dignity and respect. 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."
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo remains committed to providing safe, dignified and efficient burial and cremation services. The entity will continue working closely with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Johannesburg Water, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and funeral industry stakeholders to address infrastructure constraints, strengthen traffic management and enhance service delivery across its cemetery network.
Issued by: Councillor Thapelo Amad
MMC for Community Development
City of Johannesburg
Media enquiries: Jenny Moodley
Spokesperson: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
082 803 0748
jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
