Residents of Protea Glen Ext 35 in Soweto are up in arms and pushing back against plans to develop a private cemetery near their homes, saying it will cause traffic congestion, crime and a decline in property values.
Businessman Tim Hogins, who owned the now-defunct GOG Gardens and Lifestyle Park in Protea Glen Ext 35, is set on developing a private cemetery which can accommodate up to 11,000 graves on his farm in what was originally Zuurbekom.
The Rand West City municipality has approved his plan, much to the annoyance of residents.
Kagiso Simane, an Ext 35 resident, told Sowetan this week the cemeterywill bring more harm than good. “During weekdays, traffic starts building up around 2pm, and on weekends as early as 10am. Now, imagine what will happen when we have funerals. This area is already congested. We will have messy weekends.”
Simane, a nurse, also raised concerns that the site could become a crime hotspot, saying cemeteries were often used as hideouts by criminals. “In my line of work, about 10 people die daily. If that’s the rate, our weekends will be taken up by funeral traffic. It’s not sustainable for a residential area.”
Other residents expressed disappointment that the community’s needs were being overlooked. “We were promised a mall, a playing area, and other facilities that would benefit our families,” said Nkosinathi Dlamini, a resident of five years.
“Instead, they’re prioritising the dead over the living. I cannot have a cemetery right opposite my house. What value does that add to me?”
Several locals suggested that the land be used for housing development, a sports complex, or other multipurpose facilities that could serve youth and families in the area.
“We already travel about 4km just to get to the Protea Glen Mall in Ext 12. A graveyard is not what we need. It should be located far from residential areas, as is usually the case,” Dlamini said.
If people continue destroying the roads I’ve been maintaining, I’ll have no choice but to take legal action. And if residents believe they have a legitimate case, they’re welcome to take me to court. They have that right.
— Businessman Tim Hogins
Phillip Montshiwa, spokesperson for Rand West City, confirmed that approval was granted for the private cemetery.“The proposed Memorial Gardens development ... was approved by the municipality ... during 2024,” he said.
Ward councillor Phelelani Sindani told Sowetan the project dates back to 2019, before he took office.
“At the time, the municipality assumed the proposal had community support because no objections were raised during the public participation process,” he said.
“That led to the assumption that the community accepted or had no issues with the cemetery being developed there.”
Hogins, the land owner and businessman, said he always intended to uplift the community and had previously invested in entertainment facilities, including a mini water park, before Covid-related shutdowns.
“It took me four years to get this place [the cemetery] approved by the West Rand. I’ve invested over R10m in this property. Whatever I do, I consider how it benefits the community and meets current needs.”
He acknowledged concerns about traffic but said the cemetery will have multiple entrances and exits, and that the main access would be through the N1 to reduce pressure on local roads. “My property does not border any houses, and it will not add to the traffic problem. We are trying to ease the burden by offering alternative routes.”
Hogins also warned against threats to the infrastructure supporting the project. “If people continue destroying the roads I’ve been maintaining, I’ll have no choice but to take legal action. And if residents believe they have a legitimate case, they’re welcome to take me to court. They have that right.”
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