Durban - Users of the Mountain Rise Crematorium in Pietermaritzburg will heave a sigh of relief following the news that the facility has been fixed, enabling members of the public to use it.
The assurance was issued by Msunduzi Municipality on Monday afternoon, following problems experienced with the facility in recent days.
“The municipality wishes to advise the members of the public that the Mountain Rise Crematorium is functional and the members of the public are free to come and use the facility,” said Msunduzi spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize.
She explained that an “operational challenge” had occurred recently because of the supply of gas and the subsequent damage to gas burners for one crematorium.
“However, the gas has been procured and a back-up generator is available in the case of load shedding. The municipality assures the public that Crematorium A is fully functional,” she said.
The spokesperson indicated that city manager, Lulamile Mapholoba; the president of the Midlands Hindu Society, advocate Ranjiv Nirghin; and Naresh Amichand, a member of the crematorium sub-committee, had met and discussed the recent developments over the crematorium.
She stressed that refurbishments on another crematorium and processes to restore the gas were under way and apologised to the public for the inconvenience experienced because of the breakdown of the facility.
The facility has broken down over the years, prompting the public to look elsewhere to perform cremations for their loved ones.