By Correspondent
In 2016 Harare Municipality announced that the popular Warren Hills Cemetery was full and had been closed.
Confirming a full council resolution then Housing and Community Services Acting Director Major (Rtd) Mathew Marara, said they were in the process of identifying land for new cemeteries.
They were looking for suitable land in the eastern, southern and northern areas of the capital.
Then Council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the development meant the City has to develop new graves uphill of Warren Park Cemetery.
“We are working with a partner, Nyaradzo Funeral Services, on this project.
“But in the meantime it means burials have to be done at Granville, Greendale and Tafara Cemeteries.
“That is, when one requires council burial space,” he said.
Suspicious Burial Scam
However, recent developments have raised suspicion that the cemetery may be the victim of another corruption scheme.
Many people are still getting buried there under the guise of having reserved spaces.
Harare Residents Trust Director Precious Shumba says the place isn’t actually full.
“The Warren Hills Cemetery is not as full as widely believed.
“There are several burials that take place under the guise of reserved burial space.
In order for one to get burial space they need to contact people with links to Council.
“To get a new burial space, you just need a letter written by former and current senior council workers who direct you to the right offices.
“You will just need to pay the required US$300-00 to secure your burial spot.
This means that an underhand Council scheme has resulted in officials getting ownership of burial spaces.
They are now reaping the benefits as officially the cemetery is closed.
The money paid for the graves now goes into personal pockets.
“Someone may be making money through this lie,” says Shumba.
Private Space In A Public Space
Meanwhile another private firm is allegedly operating a private enterprise in the cemetery.
A visit to the cemetery reveals a pristine island of order and class amidst the general dereliction around.
The private graves are already dug and built up with often flowered gardens of lawn around them.
It is so unlike the general graves, most of which are unmarked and abandoned.
Only those in the Muslim section and those from the pre-colonial era have a similar standard.
The private company allegedly charges US$5, 500-00 including the tombstone.
Details on how the deal was struck remain unknown.
Most of the Cllrs at Town House arrived with the arrangement already in place and they profess ignorance.
However, HRT says the biggest losers are Warren Park residents.
“They should be benefitting most from their proximity to this graveyard.
“(Now) they have to find burial space elsewhere, instead of using the cemetery closest to their houses.
Agrieved residents have since called for a tour of the cemetery by Councillors.
They say a tour will help bring clarity to the prevailing situation.
Meanwhile Harare has nine other active cemeteries.
They are Granville A and B, Highfield, Mbare, Warren Hills, Dzivarasekwa, Greendale, Mabvuku and Pioneer.
