City gets new cemetery

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THE BULAWAYO City Council has reserved a portion of land across the road from Athlone Cemetery in Northend for the development of a new cemetery

THE BULAWAYO City Council has reserved a portion of land across the road from Athlone Cemetery in Northend for the development of a new cemetery to meet increasing demand for burial space in the city.

MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT

Council acting assistant director of health services, Masotsha Mtshena, said they have been exploring various options as the city was fast running out of burial space.

“There is a piece of land to the west of the Athlone Cemetery which has already been gazetted for use as a cemetery.

“Burials may be moved to this piece of land any time by council,” Mtshena said.

Athlone Cemetery was closed some years ago after it filled up and only burials of people who bought burial space at certain sections of the graveyard take place.

Mtshena said his department was currently working with the city’s engineering department to establish another cemetery on council land to the west of Old Pumula next to the Hyde Park Estates to cater for the south-western suburbs.

“There is also a piece of land north-east of Mahatshula suburb that has been reserved by council as a burial site,” he said.

“However, the land is still under test for suitability for burial purposes ahead of its gazetting.

“It is only the perennial scourge of the organisation’s poor cashflows that will militate against timely implementation of our plans.”

More land earmarked for development as cemeteries is in Lower Rangemore, Helensvale, Wilsgrove, Umvucha, Mapani, Good Hope and Gwanda Road-Bulawayo Drive.

However, Mtshena said most of this land was currently in private hands and council was in various stages of negotiations with owners to secure it as graveyards.

There are currently two cemeteries catering for the whole city, West Park and Luveve Extension, while Athlone, Pelandaba and Luveve are all full.