Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
BULAWAYO City Council has allocated 54 additional hectares for the expansion of Luveve Cemetery, creating space for 100 000 new graves as the city battles a critical shortage of burial land.
For now, the city relies solely on Luveve Extension and Umvutsha Cemeteries, both of which are rapidly filling up.
According to the council’s latest MasiyePhambili newsletter, Director of Town Planning Wisdom Siziba said the new site forms part of the city’s Master Plan.
“The Town Planning Department provided for these sites in the Master Plan. A site had been identified to the north and opposite the existing Luveve Cemetery Extension, stretching southwards from the parking lot up to the crematorium, between the railway reserve and the road leading to the Municipality Booster Station,” said Siziba.
He confirmed that the land, known as Stand 10365 Luveve, is owned by the city and will accommodate 100 000 graves.
Siziba noted that while cremation remains unpopular, demand for burial space continues to grow, forcing the council to act.
The project will also require the construction of a 1.96 km access road linking the new cemetery to the city.
“Access will be via Luveve Road, turning right onto Intemba Road and left onto Gwabalanda Drive. These roads, especially Gwabalanda Drive, will need rehabilitation to handle increased traffic,” said Siziba.
The proposal received full council approval on 3 September, with the land now set to be handed over to the Health Services Department, which will oversee its gazetting and ensure compliance with Environmental Management Agency (EMA) requirements.
This development is expected to ease pressure on Bulawayo’s burial system for years to come.
