Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
CHITUNGWIZA residents have reacted angrily to steep increases proposed in the municipality’s 2026 budget, accusing the local authority of “commercialising death” through burial fees that, in some cases, rise by more than 400 percent.
The charges form part of Chitungwiza Municipality’s draft 2026 tariff schedule, which is currently under Government review.
Under the proposals, burial fees for an adult resident would increase from US$70 to US$150, a 114 percent jump, while adult non-residents would pay US$200, up from US$97.
Child burial charges record some of the steepest adjustments, with fees for a child resident rising from US$14 to US$75 – a spike of more than 435 percent.
Grave-related services have also been revised upwards.
Grave searches will now cost US$50, up from US$28, while tombstone erection fees carry the same adjustment.
The exhumation permit rises from US$14 to US$30, although the grave reservation fee remains unchanged at US$21.
Residents’ organisations argue that the increases reflect misplaced priorities at a time when the municipality is struggling to deliver basic services.
Harare Residents Trust (HRT) chairperson, Mr Precious Shumba, accused the council of targeting families during their most vulnerable moments.
“In our view, there is no justification to increase cemetery fees given the harsh economic and social challenges,” he said.
“Chitungwiza management has demonstrated that they are not innovative and only see revenue generation through increasing the cost of existing services.”
Zengeza resident, Ms Mercy Chikomo, said the increases amounted to punishing families already struggling with rising living costs.
“Instead of improving service delivery, council is targeting the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives,” she said.
“They have no desire to improve the quality of service delivery to give value for money.”
She added: “We are failing to buy basics, and now council wants to make burial a luxury. It’s unfair.
“Losing a loved one is already painful. Council should not make it harder for families by demanding fees we cannot afford.”
Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson, Mr Tafadzwa Kuchiko, said the proposed fees form part of the council’s annual schedule and have been submitted to the minister following public consultations last week.
He said the local authority would await the minister’s decision on the proposed adjustments.
