The Mobeni Heights Crematorium in Chatsworth remains closed after a malfunction with the furnaces. A tender process is under way to conduct the repairs.
Image: Motshwari Mofokeng / Independent Newspapers
THE Mobeni Heights Crematorium remains closed despite a R14 million budget for repairs last year, causing distress among families in the Chatsworth community.
Local councillors and residents express frustration over the lack of progress and communication from the eThekwini Municipality.
The facility was closed in May 2025 due to the furnaces' malfunctioning, as they were prone to overheating, resulting in high emissions. The municipality said that this posed environmental health risks to the surrounding community.
The eThekwini Finance Committee's February 2026 report on the matter also misled councillors by stating that the project started in February 2026, and it is estimated that the completion date will be June 2026.
In June 2025, the municipality released a statement shortly after eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba visited the site to see firsthand the challenges plaguing the crematorium.
Xaba said then that the municipality was accelerating the process of restoring the facility by August 2025.
Dhayalan Moodley, a Chatsworth resident, said there has been no progress and that the authorities do not appear to be taking this matter seriously.
He said that the lack of communication and action is causing distress to families who need essential services.
“I urge the relevant authorities to provide a clear update on the status of the crematorium and expedite its completion. The community deserves better. From the very inception, the crematorium has never run smoothly,” Moodley said.
Daniel Mea, eThekwini Municipality DA councillor, who conducted a recent oversight visit of the facility, said he has engaged with the heads of department to request that funds be reprioritised to ensure the crematorium is up and running again.
“It is now February 2026, and the greater Chatsworth community still lacks a local municipal crematorium to provide their loved ones with a dignified send-off that aligns with their cultural beliefs,” Mea said.
Gugu Sisilana, the municipality’s spokesperson, said the project is currently at the tender stage, with quotations being solicited from service providers. Once the procurement process is concluded, implementation will commence.
“As part of the preparatory work, the professional team conducted detailed technical research to identify a suitably manufactured furnace with reliable local support. This approach was adopted to mitigate previous operational risks associated with imported systems that had limited after-sales support,” she explained.
The municipality has made sufficient budget provision for the implementation of the project, she added.
Sisilana said the municipality is confident that the research and documentation completed to date will enable the successful implementation of the project and ensure its delivery to the community as soon as possible.
Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the Havenside Civic Association, said the municipality has misled residents with empty promises.
Naidoo said at one stage, there was no land available for burial, and families who lost their loved ones were encouraged to opt for cremations instead.
“This is an inconvenience to the community, who have to travel to Clare Estate. They also have to incur additional costs. The municipality increased tariffs over the years, but what have they done with the money?”
Naidoo urged the municipality to get expert advice on furnace maintenance from the privately managed Clare Estate Crematorium.