The Drakenstein crematorium has once again come under the microscope after the Paarl Post recently reported on alleged irregularities taking place since 2011.
For years, the FF Plus in the Drakenstein Local Municipality (Gouda, Paarl, Saron, Wellington) has warned that the crematorium is reportedly not adhering to legal requirements.
The warnings simply fell on deaf ears.
Neither the Drakenstein Municipality nor the Cape Winelands District Municipality, which are responsible for ensuring that the crematorium operates in compliance with legal requirements, paid any attention to the party’s complaints.
Requests were also sent to the Western Cape government, but to no avail.
According to information substantiated by photos that the FF Plus sent to the relevant authorities, it appears that more than one deceased is cremated at once and that sometimes even animals are cremated along with human remains.
In addition, corpses are piled up outside without the required cooling.
There have been many complaints about the stench coming from the crematorium as well as reports about the smoke not only escaping through the chimney, but also billowing from the entrances.
Personnel are reportedly also not wearing the required PPE.
The FF Plus fully supports the complaint that FIRA (Funeral Industry Reformed Association) plans to lodge with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) about this.
What is currently transpiring at the crematorium is an atrocity that should not be tolerated. People have the right to be treated with dignity, even after their passing, but this is violating that right as well as the rights of their next of kin.
Some members of the FF Plus had their family members cremated at the crematorium and the very thought that they did not only receive their loved ones’ ashes, but also those of other deceased persons or even animals, caused serious emotional and psychological distress.
It is unacceptable that the relevant authorities have simply ignored the community and FF Plus’s pleas and complaints for so long.
It makes them accomplices to the shocking state of affairs.
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