eThekwini approves R8m to replace Tongaat crematorium furnace

The eThekwini municipality has approved funds to replace the Tongaat crematorium furnace after years of decline which culminated in a complete breakdown of the facility earlier this year.

The city will invest R8m for the urgent replacement of the facility. It said technical assessments had confirmed the furnace had reached the end of its lifespan, necessitating full replacement.

When the facility ceased to function in January, the city responded by allocating R5m during the adjustment budget. On Tuesday, the executive committee approved an additional R3m from its parks, recreation and culture unit's capital budget. 

Mayor Cyril Xaba hailed the executive committee’s decision, saying it showed the city’s willingness to restore cremation services to the area.

“We are pleased Exco has responded swiftly to this urgent matter. The failure of the furnace has left many families without access to cremation services in the area. The  funding will allow us to expedite the process and restore the essential service,” he said.

The city will  appoint a service provider to manufacture, construct and install the new furnace. The contractor will be South African-based and will provide maintenance support for 12 months under warranty, with a potential extension for two years, the municipality said.

Meanwhile, the city announced a further R2m allocation from its water and sanitation capital budget in the 2024/25 financial year to address long-standing water challenges in northern communities such as Verulam and surrounding areas.

The funds will be transferred from the Pinkney Park project — which has been delayed by the bid evaluation committee due to insufficient funding in the approved 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years — to the Hazelmere to Grange reservoir pipeline project, where work had stopped due to the exhaustion of funds.

The project needed the additional funding to be completed within this financial year.

The approved decision will proceed to the full council on March 31 for final endorsement.

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