Crematorium breakdown angers mourners

Both crematoria in Mobeni Heights are out of action again, leaving mourners with no option but to use expensive facilities.

Durban - Both crematoria in Mobeni Heights are out of action again, leaving mourners to use more expensive, private facilities.

Dhayalan Moodley, of the Funeral Directors’ Association, said there had been only one functioning crematorium for four years.

But, when the second received a new furnace a month ago, the one that had been working broke down.

“The one with the new furnace worked for only two days after its completion about three weeks ago. Who wants to battle to cremate a loved one? This is ridiculous and the municipality does not care about the Mobeni Heights residents,” Moodley said.

Thembinkosi Ngcobo, eThekwini head of parks and recreation, said they were looking at a report that was tabled detailing the reason for the breakdown of the newly refurbished crematorium.

“The report was brought to us yesterday. What I know so far is that the crematorium was emitting too many fumes, but all that will be clear in the report,” Ngcobo said.

It costs about R2 000 to use a private crematorium while it costs R635 to use the council-run facility.

In October, municipal spokeswoman, Tozi Mthethwa, said the crematorium had been out of service because of the installation of the new furnace and to ensure compliance with air quality regulations.

“We are committed to ensuring that the best service and facility is offered to our residents and hence the delay in making sure that regulations and compliance are checked and triple checked. We apologise to residents for the inconvenience,”

she had said at the time.

Daily News reporter

* Use IOL's Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.