The City of Bulawayo has approved a pauper mass grave for the dignified burial of unclaimed human body parts recovered from the April 18 Independence Day accident in Matobo district, Matabeleland South.
The decision, contained in a health services committee report presented to council on August 24, follows a request from the Matabeleland South provincial medical director for burial space for the remains.
The accident occurred during national Independence Day celebrations held in Matobo between April 17 and 18.
While most of the deceased were identified and claimed by relatives for burial, some body parts could not be linked to specific victims and have remained in custody at a local mortuary for over four months.
“The majority of the deceased persons’ remains were collected by their respective relatives for burial,” said provincial medical director Maphios Siamuchembu.
“However, certain body parts that could not be linked to any particular individual remain in custody at the local mortuary.”
Medical authorities said the unclaimed parts could no longer be identified or claimed, placing responsibility on the State for their proper disposal.
The request was considered under the Cemeteries Act (Chapter 5:04), which requires councils to set aside portions of cemeteries for the burial of poor persons without charge.
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The health services department recommended one pauper mass grave for the remains, subject to strict conditions to preserve dignity and public health.
It recommended that the remains must first be formally declared unclaimed and cleared for pauper burial by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
They will be placed respectfully in a single body bag and buried in one grave.
The grave must be permanently marked with the inscription: “UNCLAIMED BODY PARTS – 18 APRIL 2026 ACCIDENT” along with the relevant police reference number to allow future identification.
Council confirmed the authorisation, which had already been approved by director of health services Edwin Sibanda in consultation with town clerk Christopher Dube.
The permanent marking ensures the remains will not disappear into an unidentified site, providing a link to the original accident should relatives later come forward.
