Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Chitungwiza Councillor Betty Jasoni has expressed concern over the low number of residents buried at local cemeteries, given the high number of deaths being recorded in the town.
Cllr Jasoni noted her concern during a full council meeting held last week.
“In your report chair, it read that nine bodies were buried at Chitungwiza cemeteries,” she said.
“But considering the rate at which people die in Chitungwiza, does it mean people are burying their relatives at Zororo Cemetery and that money (burial fees) is going to Harare?
“What are we doing wrong that is making people shun their local cemeteries? I think that needs to be looked into.”
Cllr Jasoni said there was need to trim hedges and cut the grass at the old cemetery in Unit L.
“There is tall grass. It would be ideal that when you carry out the exercise in Nyatsime, please also consider Unit L,” she said.
“But the issue of why people are not being buried locally and opting for Harare needs to be looked into. It’s revenue that is being lost.”
Cllr Obert Matsika told the full council that there is need to deal with land barons who are encroaching on land that is reserved for graves and preventing council workers from doing their work.
“Last time council undertakers and even people burying their relatives were chased away by land barons,” he said.
“We even discussed that issue when we were in a meeting. That land is for use as a cemetery. But you see houses built alongside graves.
“What have we done as council to ensure those residing at the cemetery vacate, as the land is reserved for the cemetery?”
Cllr Gylord Chenjera said people are shunning Chitungwiza cemeteries because the graves are different from those at Zororo.
“At Zororo, the graves are built from the ground up and they have their own labour. So the nine people who were buried in Chitungwiza are for those whose families got assistance from their councillors to buy graves here. Our graves cost $97 so they probably could not afford $540 (at Zororo).”
Cllr Chenjera said the roads at the Chitungwiza Municipality cemeteries are bad and there is also no security.
“If someone puts a tombstone, it can be stolen because it is a residential area,” he said.
Cllr Chenjera said council should repair the roads and plant trees in its cemeteries.
On the issue of evictions, he said it is out of the council’s jurisdiction.
“I remember the Provincial Minister saying he would visit the area. So let’s leave the town clerk and the Ministry to do their work,” he said.
