Gibson Mhaka
AS pressure on burial space intensifies in other cities, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has apparently assured residents that they “could feel free to die” as the local authority has enough burial space for the next 10 years.
According to the latest council minutes, health services director Dr Edwin Sibanda revealed that although Athlone Cemetery was fast filling up, Luveve and Umvutcha still had each a lifespan of 10 years.
The revelations were made during a full council meeting after Ward 5 Councillor Felix Mhaka inquired if council had enough burial space for the future.
“Currently the city was operating three cemeteries namely Athlone extension Luveve and Umvutcha. Athlone was fast filling up, however the other two had enough burial space that could last the city 10 years each. Pumula South and Marvel cemeteries had also been gazetted. Marvel Cemetery was awaiting the construction of a railway level crossing bridge,” the minutes reads in part.
It also emerged at the same meeting that grave diggers at Bulawayo cemeteries were overwhelmed and the council had since proposed that mourners do the back-filling of the graves while it recruits more staff.
“In response the Town Clerk advised that Human Capital Development had undertaken a work study and the number of cemetery staff would be increased. A detailed report would be submitted accordingly,” further read the minutes.
The local authority said since funerals were still considered as super-spreaders for Covid-19 pandemic it was prudent for the council to continue with 30 mourners per burial at city’s cemeteries so as to ease congestion.
