Cemeteries forced to dig shallow graves amid Cape storms

Lester Kiewit speaks with Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health at the City of Cape Town.

Listen below.

The wet weather in Cape Town has led to significant flooding and rising underground water tables.

Some cemeteries might have to dig shallower graves.

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Usually, a grave will be two metres deep, but now some are only 1.4 metres.

“This allows one metre of soil to cover the coffin.”

- Patricia van der Ross, Community Services and Health - City of Cape Town

Van Der Ross says that Maitland Cemetery and Klip Cemetery - the metro's most-used - are the worst affected.

She says that the staff at the cemetery do their best to manage the situation and test the holes before a burial.

Van Der Ross reminds the public that there are alternatives to burials.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.