Tshwane
Tshwane’s plans to develop new cemeteries are under pressure as illegal settlements encroach on land reserved for burials. City officials warn the occupation is pushing some cemeteries to full capacity and complicating long-term planning for burial infrastructure.
Tshwane is facing significant challenges in expanding its cemetery infrastructure due to illegal land occupation. Informal settlements are encroaching on land earmarked for cemeteries, reducing available burial space and disrupting long-term planning.
Officials say the situation at cemeteries such as Mabopane is particularly pressing, with illegal occupation limiting capacity and complicating orderly expansion. The city acknowledges that the rapid growth of informal settlements is straining resources and making it difficult to implement planned developments.
Budget constraints have worsened the problem, as little funding has been allocated for cemetery development since the 2021/22 financial year. Mayor Nasiphi Moya highlighted that 17 illegal settlements have been identified across the city, creating both logistical and urban planning challenges.
Weak enforcement compounds the issue. Existing fines for non-permitted land use are often insufficient to deter encroachment, and once land is occupied, providing basic services becomes difficult without formalising the settlements — a move that could further undermine cemetery development plans.
The city faces a complex balancing act: managing illegal settlements while ensuring residents have access to adequate burial facilities. Without urgent action, Tshwane risks running short of burial space, undermining both public service delivery and long-term urban planning objectives.
