Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira

CHIPINGE – Chipinge cemetery has become a heath with relatives failing to locate their loved ones’ graves amid tall grass and bushes.

The cemetery has no toilets, water and it’s not fenced.

Residents are angry that the town council is failing to maintain the cemetery yet it is collecting grave fee which must be used for that purpose.

“It has been many years since council cut grass. We are failing to locate our relatives’ graves as a result and there is no excuse for this because we are paying rates,” said Dakarai Mwayera. 

“This is our final resting place. There is no toilet, water or fence and the local authority is failing to cut grass. We put tombstones but they are stolen or destroyed by stray cattle because there is no fence. Council is robbing us by collecting grave fee,” said Takava Mashawa.  

Chipinge Acting Town secretary James Mutemera said the local authority is cutting grass but it is difficult to cope with the situation in the rainy season because plants grow fast. 

 “We have responded residents’ outcry and we assigned workers to clear the place. I am not sure when we last cleared the cemetery but now we are attending to critical points,” he said.https://masvingomirror.com