Residents of Limeclay Heights in Clayfield, Phoenix have homes with a view – of coffins they say are being moved in and of a ground-floor flat.
They’re upset that a funeral parlour had recently opened up in a small block of flats opposite the Phoenix mortuary.
The parlour, Amadlelo Amahle, opened in the middle of last month and residents are demanding it be shut down or relocated.
“It’s like death staring you in the face and I cannot take it any more,” said Mooneera Badat.
“How can someone open up a business like this on a shared property without consulting us? What is next?”
The grandmother, who has been living in the area for 12 years, said she had seen coffins lined up outside the door and this made her uncomfortable.
Another resident, Roselyn Pillay, said her niece was having nightmares because she had seen a child-sized coffin.
“She is only 4 and could not sleep and she refused to play outside in the yard. This is not a suitable environment for a business like this. Something needs to be done. Children are scared.”
Resident Dylan Govender said his major concern was the funeral parlour bringing in corpses.
“A few days after they opened, a mortuary van came into the property during the late hours of the night. The next morning we questioned the owner of the business about her bringing bodies and she denied it,” he said.
Govender said residents had signed a petition highlighting their concerns and were hoping the eThekwini Municipality would investigate the matter and shut down the business.
“With the help of our CPF, we contacted the health department and they inspected the property. We have not had any feedback from them yet.”
The owner of the parlour, Coceka Gwaji, said she purchased the property in April after the Phoenix mortuary relocated to Clayfield.
“I... bought the flat because it is situated directly opposite the mortuary. I am not bringing in dead bodies to the premises; the bodies are taken to our branch in Gale Street with the proper facilities,” she said. “I only run the admin side to it from this office and we have empty coffins on display for families to view.”
eThekwini Municipality spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said the matter would be investigated. “An official from the relevant unit has been tasked to conduct a site inspection.”