Man exhumes over 2 000 graves, still counting

UPFUMI Hwepasi Kuvatema leader Mathew Mundondo has described his work of exhuming human remains from diamond mining sites in Chiadzwa and Marange as "not ordinary," citing the psychological, physical and emotional toll it takes.

The 34-year-old says he has exhumed more than 2 000 graves since 2009 to pave way for diamond mining operations in the area. He admits that without passion for the work, he would have abandoned it long ago.

Exhumations in the Chiadzwa and Marange diamond fields are often carried out by elderly community members because of deeply rooted traditional beliefs and taboos surrounding the deceased. Mundondo, however, has become one of the few young people to take up the task, working with various mining companies to relocate graves from mining concessions to designated reburial sites.

In an interview last week, Mundondo said strict procedures are followed during exhumations, including cleansing ceremonies meant to appease the spirits of the departed.

He alleged that in some cases, disputes over compensation have complicated the process.

"At one point, when my team was digging a grave in Tonhorai, a cobra emerged from the blues. They immediately called me and we had to stop all the work there and this took two days as we had to consult traditional leaders in the area who cautioned us that it was a sign that the deceased was not happy," Mundondo said.

He claimed it later emerged that a family elder had allegedly spent compensation money received from Mbada Diamonds without consulting other relatives. Mbada Diamonds reportedly paid US$1 500 per grave for relocation outside the mining zone.

Chinese-owned mining firm Jinan Mining is said to have paid US$700 per grave between 2013 and 2015 before reducing the amount to US$300. The company ceased operations in February 2016 following a government directive.

"Some family members were greedy and they would spend the money without informing other relatives. Yes, close members were supposed to benefit, but some misspent the money," he said.

Mundondo also recounted other incidents he interpreted through the lens of African traditional beliefs.

"At another graveyard, I was stung by a swarm of bees from nowhere. Up to now I don't know how I survived. In our African culture, being attacked by a swarm of bees is a sign from the departed that they would not be happy about something," he said.

He added that some villagers have complained of mysterious whispering voices at night following exhumations, underscoring the importance of ritual cleansing ceremonies.

"When we are carrying out these exhumations, it's good that we cleanse the area. Cleansing is very important otherwise it would be a disaster," he said.

Despite the challenges, Mundondo has signed a new contract with the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) to erect tombstones for at least 150 graves at the Chitangazuva reburial site. Some graves were damaged by heavy rains earlier this year, making it difficult for families to identify burial sites.

A ritual ceremony to officially open the reburial site is scheduled for today, with traditional leaders, villagers and ZCDC officials expected to attend.

ZCDC chief executive officer Morris Mpofu said respecting cultural and traditional beliefs remains a priority.

"It is important to respect traditional and cultural beliefs of the area we are working. It doesn't make sense to work here (Chiadzwa) when people are not happy. We might not have started mining, but the issue of graves is top on our agenda," Mpofu said.

Chiadzwa assistant headman Shadreck Chipise commended Mundondo for embracing and understanding local traditions at a young age.

"It's frightening that a man of his age understands traditional beliefs. When he started this he was very young. It's good that we have young people who now understand such beliefs," he said.

The Chitangazuva reburial site was established by former diamond mining companies working with traditional leaders after the government halted operations by several firms in the area. It serves as a designated resting place for bodies exhumed from various Chiadzwa concessions to make way for mining activities.

Mundondo is expected to exhume nearly 120 more bodies in the coming weeks as mining preparations continue.