BULAWAYO councillors have expressed concern over corrupt tendencies by council grave diggers to force residents to part with $25 to refill collapsed graves.
NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER
The Bulawayo City Council said it was the duty of grave diggers to refill collapsed graves at no cost.
According to the latest council minutes, councillors expressed concern over the state of graves, especially at West Park Cemetery, that are collapsing.
Councillors said this had resulted in grave diggers taking advantage of residents to corruptly milk them by demanding $25 to refill the collapsed graves.
Councillor Lillian Mlilo said she had also fallen victim to the corrupt grave diggers who demanded money for them to refill the collapsed grave of her late husband.
“Councillor Gideon Mangena was concerned about the state of graves at West Park Cemetery as most of them had collapsed. He pointed out that there were council staff charging a fee of $25 to refill graves at cemeteries and this was improper and should be investigated,” part of the council minutes read.
“Councillor Mlilo also reported that she had recently paid $25 to a council worker for the refill of her husband’s grave. She enquired whether the money was paid to council or it was for personal gain? She also wanted to know whether it was the duty of relatives to re-fill graves or it was this council’s responsibility.
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“In response, the senior environmental health officer advised that the refilling of collapsed graves was council’s duty. Luveve Cemetery was the worst affected due to sandy soils. He confirmed that it was illegal for council staff to charge people for refilling of graves and this would be investigated.”
The report adds that some sand poachers were also in the habit of digging pit sand at the cemeteries, further worsening the problem.
“Some motorists did not respect graveyards anymore and drove through them. Some residents were digging pit sand from grave sites and measures would be taken to control such activities,” the report reads.
