The Deputy Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Mongameli Bobani, officially opened the newly upgraded Kabah Cemetery in Kwalanga, Uitenhage, in Port Elizabeth, on Thursday.
The R7 million upgrade included fencing around the precinct, tar roads, the building a new administrative office, and 24/7 security.
The revamp is part of the municipality's priority commitments to restore dignity to those communities who have been ignored and neglected.
Bobani said for too long, Kabah Cemetery has been an eye sore for the community of Kwalanga and Rosedale. The cemetery has been a place for illegal dumping, robberies, livestock grazing and a home for vagrants and criminals.
The multi-million rand upgrade coincides with the 32nd anniversary month of the KwaLanga Massacre where 20 anti-apartheid activists were shot dead by police on the 21st of March 1985.
Bobani added that the municipality will also be upgrading cemeteries in other parts of the metro,
He appealed to community members to work together with the municipality to ensure cemeteries are kept in good condition.
