Chitungwiza Losing Cemetry War to Land Barons

In a sign of resignation, the Municipality of Chitungwiza has admitted that it is slowly losing the war to control its new cemetery to land barons who are reportedly chasing away grave diggers.

The new cemetery is located in Nyatsime area following the decommissioning of the Unit L cemetery.

In a monthly report presented for adoption during the 499th Ordinary Council meeting yesterday by the Public Works Committee Chairperson, Councillor Gylord Chenjera, it was indicated that in June, only nine people were laid to rest at the new cemetery, raising concerns among councillors.

Proportional Representative Cllr Betty Jaisoni enquired what could be the problem.

“In your report on page 7, Chairperson, you indicated that in June alone nine people were buried at our cemetery. But considering the number of people who are dying in Chitungwiza, this is an indication that most of them are being buried at Zororo in Harare,” pointed out Cllr Jasoni.

“What are we lacking as Chitungwiza such that the bereaved families are opting for other cemeteries and not the one in their locality? I think we need to attend to it, as we are losing a lot of revenue.”

Ward 24 Cllr, Obert Matsika, also raised concerns as to why the council was failing to reign in the land barons.

“Last time our employees were chased away by land barons as they were digging graves. I wanted to find out if you had taken any action. Those people who are living on the cemetery land are land barons and are not stopping at anything. What have we done as a council?

“Town Clerk, you are well aware of this issue, and the last time police were deployed there was after the land barons had demarcated the cemetery. If the situation continues unabated, where will we be buried after we die? Are we involved, or did we sell that piece of land to them so that we cannot remove them?” He asked.

In response, the Public Works Committee Chairperson, Cllr Chenjera, stated that the situation was unbearable.

“I want to state it clearly for Cllr Jasoni to have a better understanding. Many people in Chitungwiza are of the view that burying their relatives at our cemetery is akin to dumping their beloved ones in comparison to Zororo, where a grave is constructed from the bottom upwards.

“Those bereaved families of no means are the ones using our cemetery after getting assistance from these councillors. Some of the contributing factors are that they consider paying $96 for a cheaper grave in Chitungwiza since they cannot afford a $540 one. Number two, our road to the cemetery is in a sorry state, and lastly, where you claim we have a cemetery, it is no longer there. It has been turned into residential stands.”

In a spine-chilling account, Cllr Chenjera highlighted that tombstones were even stolen, stating that the situation now requires high authority.

“Removing those illegal settlers is out of our bounds. I still recall that the resident minister (Charles Tawengwa) indicated that he is going to visit and address this issue. Let us leave this matter in the hands of the town clerk and the resident minister to do their work. We should not debate it any further.”