News / Regional
Private cemetery for Bulawayo approved
07 Jul 2016 at 02:14hrs | Views
THE government has approved the establishment of a private cemetery in Bulawayo's Northlyn/ Trenance suburb.
Residents have over the years resisted establishment of the burial ground, saying it was too close to their homes.
Residents now rely on Luveve Cemetery.
The new cemetery would be for the upper class, where each grave would cost $5,000.
According to the latest council report the Acting Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda explained that follow up action had been done regarding the gazetting of Pumula South Cemetery but no response had yet come from the Ministry.
"I can confirm that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has now consented in terms of Section 35(i)(a) of the Cemeteries Act - Chapter 5:04 to the establishment of a private cemetery on Remainder of Hundred Acre Lot - John Makunga in Northlyn and Trenance areas," said Dr Sibanda.
He told councillors that burials at West Park Cemetery would only be for reserved allocations namely spouses, the Anglican Church, Guta RaMwari, Moslems and the Zimbabwe National Army. "Lady Stanley cemetery is also still open. All other public burials would now be accommodated at Luveve Extension cemetery," he said.
He said the Chamber Secretary would continue follow ups with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
A fierce row erupted sometime in 2013 when residents of Trenance, Northlyn and Harrisvale protested against Elizabeth Magdalene Dubois whom they accused of establishing a private cemetery without their consent.
Council approved Dubois' application to establish a private cemetery with a capacity of at least 100,000 graves.
The residents took the matter to the High Court but later withdrew it.
Last month, council shut down West Park Cemetery after running out of burial space, with the new site in Pumula South meant to save the situation, yet to be gazetted.
The local authority has said only Luveve cemetery is operational, but it is also fast running out of space.
Residents from other suburbs like Nketa, Nkulumane and Emganwini have complained that Luveve Cemetery is very far away from their homes.
The councillors are worried about the delay in the opening of Pumula Cemetery as burial space is fast running out of space.
Residents have over the years resisted establishment of the burial ground, saying it was too close to their homes.
Residents now rely on Luveve Cemetery.
The new cemetery would be for the upper class, where each grave would cost $5,000.
According to the latest council report the Acting Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda explained that follow up action had been done regarding the gazetting of Pumula South Cemetery but no response had yet come from the Ministry.
"I can confirm that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has now consented in terms of Section 35(i)(a) of the Cemeteries Act - Chapter 5:04 to the establishment of a private cemetery on Remainder of Hundred Acre Lot - John Makunga in Northlyn and Trenance areas," said Dr Sibanda.
He told councillors that burials at West Park Cemetery would only be for reserved allocations namely spouses, the Anglican Church, Guta RaMwari, Moslems and the Zimbabwe National Army. "Lady Stanley cemetery is also still open. All other public burials would now be accommodated at Luveve Extension cemetery," he said.
A fierce row erupted sometime in 2013 when residents of Trenance, Northlyn and Harrisvale protested against Elizabeth Magdalene Dubois whom they accused of establishing a private cemetery without their consent.
Council approved Dubois' application to establish a private cemetery with a capacity of at least 100,000 graves.
The residents took the matter to the High Court but later withdrew it.
Last month, council shut down West Park Cemetery after running out of burial space, with the new site in Pumula South meant to save the situation, yet to be gazetted.
The local authority has said only Luveve cemetery is operational, but it is also fast running out of space.
Residents from other suburbs like Nketa, Nkulumane and Emganwini have complained that Luveve Cemetery is very far away from their homes.
The councillors are worried about the delay in the opening of Pumula Cemetery as burial space is fast running out of space.
Source - chronicle
