Maintenance work commenced on July 14, 2023, yet the Pretoria West crematorium remains nonoperational to date.
Initially, the Tshwane metro initiated maintenance to ensure environmental compliance standards for the furnaces, leading to the facility's closure. Despite being part of the city’s annual maintenance program, the work on the furnaces remains incomplete.
Selby Bokaba, metro spokesperson, stated, “The City is currently addressing maintenance issues with furnace 2, which failed during the initial program. Efforts are underway to ensure compliance for the reinstatement of the suspended license by GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment).”
Last year, the metro highlighted the necessity for gas usage and emissions to meet acceptable standards before resuming service. Initially scheduled for August 2023, the reopening date now remains uncertain.
“We will publicly announce the completion of all processes,” assured Bokaba.
On the 6th May 2024, the Crematorium committee, comprising of Mr Sanjay Govind, Pastor Kevin Naicker, Dr Murthi Sooboo, Mr Vineet Rama, Mr Bharat Kooverjie, Mr Naresh " Singh, Mr Thushan Padayachee and various other interested people from Tshwane had the opportunity to engage Mayor Cilliers Brink to hand over a memorandum regarding the non functioning of the Crematorium.
Thushan Padayachee handing over the memorandum to Mayor Cilliers Brink
The Mayor has agreed to have a face to face meeting with the Crematorium Committee within 7 to 10 days.
Rebecca Street, the sole crematory owned by the metro in Tshwane, is a preferred choice for the Hindu community. However, the closure has caused inconvenience, prompting questions about potential plans for a new facility, to which the metro has yet to provide clarity.
Below is a copy of the memorandum that was handed over to the Mayor.
