ZVISHAVANE residents are being forced to look for alternative burial space as the town’s only grave site, Mandava Cemetery, is now clogged with water following the rains received recently.
This has seen residents burying their relatives outside the cemetery precast wall in violation of town planning laws.
“Last week, we were forced to dig a grave outside the precast wall because there is no space and it is flooded. We call upon the council to at least extend the area,” Mandla Ndiraya told the Daily News yesterday.
Another resident said the situation was likely going to cause confusion in future.
“After burying our relatives, we are left without a clue of where the grave is because it is like digging a grave on an illegal space.
“When we want to visit the place next time we will not be able to identify it because it is not pegged by council,” Linda Macheke said.
Other residents also suggested for the council to identify a new place to set up another cemetery.
“This is the only cemetery we have and it does not match our growing population and the high death rate in this town.
“It is better for the council to look for another piece of land and create a new cemetery. This will decongest the Mandava one and also end the digging of graves outside the cemetery,” Mugove Jonyo said.
Zvishavane Town Council (ZTC) chairperson Khulekani Ndlovu said council was aware of the flooding and space challenges at the cemetery, adding that plans were underway to address the situation.
“Council also plans to extend the cemetery and build a new pre-cast wall to ease space shortages. As for flooding challenges, the council is working on that,” he said.
Tamary Chikiwa
in ZVISHAVANE
