The Gweru City Council has plans to establish a modern facility where corpses are cremated at one of its cemeteries, NewsDay has learnt.
According to mayor Martin Chivhoko, the crematorium was one of council’s long-term plans to spruce up its cemeteries.
“Yes, we have plans for a modern crematorium at one of our cemeteries,” Chivhoko said in an interview yesterday.
Currently, we are also in the process of carrying out maintenance works at our cemeteries. We are cutting grass and clearing bushes, as well as the rehabilitating roads at our graveyards. We also have plans to erect fences around our cemeteries, constructing ablution facilities and waiting rooms.”
He said the local authority was in the process of ensuring the availability of computerised data for graves and burials.
Most local authorities struggle with high demand for burial space, as Zimbabweans are generally reluctant to embrace cremation due to cultural beliefs.
However, in response, Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association director David Chikore urged council to maintain cemeteries.
“The cemeteries in the city are in a sorry state,” he said.
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“Council should ensure that the graveyards are maintained to higher standards. We should learn to respect the dead by maintaining cemeteries in the city.”
Chikore said it was disheartening that there were no ablution facilities at cemeteries, forcing people to turn to the bush to relieve themselves when burying loved ones.
