NEW: Government speaks on Mt Hampden graves

Online Reporter

GOVERNMENT has conducted extensive consultations regarding graves located in various areas of Mt Hampden and maintains that 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).

This comes as one Eugene Majuru made allegations that graves were being destroyed in Mt Hampden to make way for the Cyber City.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said Government is guided by the relevant legislation.

“The cemetery in question mostly consists of the remains of former farm workers. The majority of graves are known, and their relatives have come forward to identify them.

“The Ministry, through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), continues with extensive consultations with other stakeholders,” said the Ministry.

“The Mt Hampden area falls under Chief Zvimba, whom the Ministry, through NMMZ, has fully consulted.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said it acknowledges the historical claims of other clans who settled in the Greater Harare area, including Mbari, Gutsa and Hwata, among others.

In the event that a grave is discovered during construction, developers have been urged to engage a qualified archaeologist or cemetery curator to categorise the graves and provide advice on appropriate actions, such as exhumation, to allow the project to proceed.

The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 25:11) and the Cemeteries Act (Chapter 5:04) complement each other in legally safeguarding these valuable ancestral sites,” said the Home Affairs Ministry.