Online Reporter
For many in African cultures, a cemetery is more than just a burial ground — it is a sacred space, a place of remembrance and reflection, where the living maintain a spiritual connection with the departed. However, the current state of Bulawayo’s cemeteries tells a different story — one of neglect, abandonment, and a fading respect for the final resting places of loved ones.
A Heart breaking reality
“During a relative’s burial at Luveve Cemetery last month, I decided to visit my father’s grave, where we buried him in March 2011. The sight was heartbreaking. The grave had collapsed, and I was deeply disturbed. I regretted not checking on it sooner,” lamented Nhlanhla Moyo from Luveve suburb.
This distressing experience reflects a broader issue affecting many cemeteries in Bulawayo. Graves are being left to deteriorate, surrounded by overgrown vegetation, vandalised tombstones, and broken infrastructure. Once hallowed grounds of peace and reflection, these cemeteries now bear the scars of neglect.
A Landscape of ruin
Across the city, the decline of cemeteries is evident. At sites like Hyde Park and Pelandaba, fences have been torn down, allowing unrestricted access that has transformed these burial grounds into informal playgrounds and short cuts for pedestrians. Paths have been worn through the cemeteries, with some cutting directly over graves. Children, unaware of the sacred nature of the land, play freely among the tombstones, further eroding the dignity of these spaces.
Vandalism is rampant. Tombstones are frequently defaced or stolen, and metal grave markers disappear, likely sold for their material value. The lack of maintenance has led to dense overgrowth, obscuring graves and creating an atmosphere of abandonment. Infrastructure such as walkways and fences has crumbled, and efforts to maintain order appear insufficient in the face of resource constraints.
A community in crisis
Bulawayo Proportional Representation Councillor Melisa Mabeza recently raised concerns about these deteriorating conditions in council discussions. She highlighted Hyde Park Cemetery’s vandalised perimeter fence, which has enabled the formation of walking paths over graves.
“A cemetery in African culture is a place of mourning, contemplation, and remembrance. It must be treated with respect,” Clr Mabeza stressed. She compared Bulawayo’s cemeteries to well-maintained sites like Glen Lorne Cemetery in Harare and Waterfall Cemeteries in Johannesburg, calling for urgent improvements.
A haven for indecency
The unchecked overgrowth and lack of security have led to even more disturbing issues. Some cemeteries have become havens for illicit sexual activity, with couples taking advantage of the tall grass and lack of surveillance to engage in inappropriate acts among the graves.
Additionally, with the collapse of sanitation facilities, some individuals have resorted to using cemeteries as open-air toilets. One Pelandaba West resident noted that she had not seen contractors clean the area in over 15 years. “Walk around, and you’ll see human waste everywhere. The long grass provides cover for people to relieve themselves. With frequent city water cuts, this situation has worsened,” she said.
Security concerns
The neglected state of cemeteries also poses security risks. Moses Ndlovu, a resident of North End, noted that the unkempt vegetation at West Park Cemetery makes it nearly impossible for security guards to protect tombstones from theft. “The lack of lighting and proper fencing gives thieves an easy opportunity to operate undisturbed.”
One security guard, speaking anonymously, blamed the worsening conditions on insufficient resources. “We don’t have enough manpower, tools, or basic supplies to maintain these cemeteries. The grass grows unchecked, fences are broken, and we can’t keep up with the constant vandalism. The council’s lack of funding leaves us to manage an impossible task with nothing,” he said.
A call for action
The decay of Bulawayo’s cemeteries is not just an issue of poor maintenance — it is a reflection of a deeper societal disconnect from cultural values of respect and remembrance. These sites should be places of dignity and reflection, not playgrounds, thoroughfares, or hideouts for illicit activities. Urgent intervention is needed from both authorities and the community to restore the sanctity of these final resting places before the legacy of those buried there is lost to neglect.
