Durban tombstone ban lifted
A ban limiting what mourners can place on the graves of their loved ones in Durban has been lifted, the Witness reported on Monday.
According to the report the eThekwini municipality initiated a ban in 2011 on anything bigger than a headstone in a bid to save space in the city's cemeteries.
City spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa told the Witness the bylaw had been rescinded after numerous complaints from residents who wanted to erect more elaborate tombstones on the graves of their loved ones.
The move was also welcomed by tombstone manufacturers.
Swiss Stone tombstone manufacturer had been forced to lay off staff as a result of the 2011 bylaw, owner Jatin Bhoola told the newspaper.
Bhoola said tombstones had been erected in "the dead of the night" by illegal contractors paid by families in a bid to ensure their departed loved ones were properly honoured.
(File photo: Gallo Images)