malvernmugadzikwa
Richard Muponde
THE Government plans to exhume remains from about 800 graves in Mt Hampden to pave the way for development of the multi-million-dollar Zim Cyber City project.
Work on the cyber city, expected to house one of Africa’s tallest buildings, the Mulk Tower, was launched in July 2022 by President Mnangagwa. Funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Mulk International, the project is intended to be a state-of-the-art development spanning 2,5 million square metres in Mt Hampden.
However, the presence of graves on the designated site has stalled progress.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) acting executive director Mr Darlington Munyikwa said: “The number of graves at the site is about 800.
“They (remains) will be buried in a cemetery within Zvimba district. Consultations with the traditional leaders and local authorities are in progress.”
Notices published by both NMMZ and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, he said, are meant to inform relatives of the deceased and the public of the impending exhumation. “The budget (for the exhumations) will be finalised after the number of graves has been validated.
“Exhumations will start after the exhumation and reburial permits have been issued by the relevant authorities,” he said.
In terms of the law, all ancient graves are protected by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 25:11), while recent graves are protected by the Cemeteries Act (Chapter 5:04).
In a statement in March, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said the Government will be guided by relevant legislation when conducting exhumations.
“The cemetery in question mostly consists of the remains of former farm workers,” said the ministry.
“The majority of graves are known and the relatives have come forward to identify them.
“The ministry, through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, continues with extensive consultations with other stakeholders.
“The Mt Hampden area falls under Chief Zvimba, whom the ministry, through NMMZ, has fully consulted.”
The Government has also outlined procedures for any unforeseen discoveries during construction. Developers were instructed to engage a qualified archaeologist or cemetery curator if a grave is found. In addition, they were directed to collaborate with specialists to categorise the graves and determine appropriate actions, such as exhumation, to allow construction to continue.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, President Mnangagwa said: “Zim Cyber City stands to become Zimbabwe’s landmark project, offering a world-class high-end lifestyle to all the residents.
“Our Government fully supports this exciting development, and I congratulate chairman Shaji Ul Mulk and his company Mulk International for bringing Zim Cyber City to Zimbabwe.”
The project originated from a proposal by Mulk International during President Mnangagwa’s visit to the Dubai World Expo 2020.
Mulk International was subsequently granted an exclusive licence to establish a blockchain and digital assets special economic zone within Zim Cyber City.
This project is considered the first large-scale investment by a UAE-based company in Zimbabwe and is expected to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Online Reporter