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Vusumuzi Dube, Online Reporter
THE Government has finally approved two new burial sites for the city of Bulawayo, with the local authority already beginning preliminary work to start burials.
The two new sites are in Pumula South and Marvel townships.
This comes in the backdrop of the city having to shut down its main cemetery- West Park- after it ran out of burial space. This had resulted in the local authority relying only on Luveve for all burials.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, the city’s acting town clerk, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou confirmed that the Attorney General’s office has since written to her confirming the approval of the two new burial sites.
She said all that was left was for them to advertise in Government gazette to formalise the cemeteries.
“I got the communication this morning (Tuesday). We are now pushing that we advertise with Government gazette this week so next week we move onsite and burials commence at the new cemeteries as soon as possible,” said Mrs Zhou.
The Pumula South cemetery has space measuring 52, 7 hectares and is expected to accommodate between 107 350 and 114 270 graves after allowing for foot paths and driveways.
The land used to belong to Hawkflight construction.
At Marvel Township, the burial site is in an area lying between the Bulawayo-Harare Road and the Bulawayo-Harare Railway Line. The area measures about 25 hectares.
Of late the council has been encouraging people to cremate their beloved ones.
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Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter