Inspection reveals major flaws at Tongaat Crematorium after costly repairs
Despite a R6 million refurbishment, the Tongaat Crematorium faces scrutiny after an inspection uncovered major flaws, including inadequate furnace performance and safety concerns.
An inspection of Tongaat Crematorium in Durban has revealed significant operational and structural issues following a costly R6 million renovation. The facility had been closed for nearly three years due to faulty furnaces, before reopening on June 19, 2022. DA Councillor Yogis Govender expressed concerns over the quality of the project and the crematorium's ability to provide dignified services to grieving families.
The smokestack was patched to seal large holes in the brickwork, while the new furnace reportedly only reaches 700°C to 800°C, compared to the previous 1,000°C furnace. This lower temperature allegedly leads to incomplete cremations requiring manual intervention by staff. The inspection also found that the furnace needs a one-hour preheating cycle, extending individual cremations to about two hours and reducing the facility's daily capacity.
Only three cremations have reportedly been carried out since the reopening, with the system still running in. Further issues include fragments from the inner chamber and debris scattered across the facility floor, raising questions about the furnace's structural integrity. The DA has called for an independent investigation, engineering audit, and comprehensive report into the recommissioning, emphasizing that ratepayers should receive value for their money and the installation must comply with engineering and safety standards.
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