Central SA
Waterlogged graves bring funerals to a halt in Klerksdorp─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:14 Wed, 21 May 2025
Funerals in Matlosana have been suspended due to widespread flooding in local cemeteries, following recent heavy downpours.
The affected area, known as Kosh (Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, and Hartbeesfontein), has seen nearly 90% of its graveyards inundated with underground water, severely disrupting burial operations.
“The municipality’s Community Services Department is grappling with the effects of saturated ground conditions, making it impossible to dig graves without encountering excessive water,” said municipal spokesperson Ntswaki Makgetha. “The graves are completely waterlogged. This has made it difficult to continue with planned burials,” said Makgetha.
As a result, bereaved families are facing heartbreaking delays. Makgetha said many are refusing alternative grave sites offered by the municipality, with some going so far as to dig graves themselves in desperation. The disruption has caused numerous burials to be postponed or cancelled altogether.
Makgetha appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation. She urged the community to work with them to find “amicable solutions”.
The waterlogging crisis follows a series of severe weather events in the region. Two months ago, OFM News reported residents in Klerksdorp, particularly those near the Schoonspruit River, were warned of potential evacuations due to rising floodwaters.
Nine homes in Irene Park’s Cuckoo Street were submerged, and several key roads in North West were closed due to water damage and traffic rerouting.
The ongoing rain has not only disrupted funerals but also impacted housing and transportation. The National Department of Human Settlements has since approved the rollout of temporary residential units for displaced families. Meanwhile, April saw intensified warnings for communities near the Vaal Dam and other rivers as floodwaters threatened homes and farmlands.
Heavy rainfall over the Free State, North West, and Northern Cape also took a significant toll on agriculture and businesses. Dams like the Vaal and Bloemhof reached full capacity, forcing officials to open sluice gates, which led to flooding of properties along the dam shores.
