News / National
Chinese Mine to exhume 147 graves in Zimbabwe cemetery
5 hrs ago |
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Zi-Heritage Environmental Consultancy is set to exhume 147 graves at the old Peak Mine Cemetery to make way for mining operations, a move that has left families struggling to identify relatives buried decades before independence.
The project, funded by Chinese-run Chengxi Mining Company and implemented by Zi-Heritage Environmental Consultancy, will affect graves at the historic Peak Mine Cemetery in Shurugwi, where mining operations under Chengxi have expanded into the Boterekwa hills.
Zi-Heritage CEO Takudzwa Pasipanodya said all legal requirements had been met, adding that relevant authorities, including traditional leadership, had been consulted and had approved the process.
The cemetery contains remains of mine workers dating back to the 1940s, many of them migrant labourers from Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique who came to work in Zimbabwe's mining sector. Over time, poor maintenance and lack of markings have made identification of individual graves increasingly difficult.
Some families say the process has revived painful memories and created uncertainty. Mustafo Bero (71), of Ruchanyu Village in Shurugwi, said several of his relatives, including his parents and uncle, are believed to be buried at the site.
"My parents came from Malawi in 1940 to work at Zimasco. My father died in 1956 and was buried at Peak Cemetery. Identification is now a challenge because many graves have no markings," he said.
Other relatives have criticised the communication process, saying notifications did not reach affected families. Richard Zigora of Poshai Village under Chief Nhema said notices were published in national newspapers that are no longer widely read in the area.
"The adverts did not reach the people. They should have used local newspapers, traditional leaders and councillors," he said.
Zi-Heritage says all graves will be relocated to a designated cemetery under the Tongogara Rural District Council for families without alternative burial sites. Those who wish to rebury relatives in their rural homes will be assisted with the process.
Pasipanodya said a mapping system has been developed to ensure graves are relocated systematically.
"We have the graveyard map and documentation. If a grave is number one at the old cemetery, it will be relocated as number one at the new site so relatives can still identify it," he said.
The company added that families are being encouraged to come forward to verify records before the exhumation process proceeds fully.
The project, funded by Chinese-run Chengxi Mining Company and implemented by Zi-Heritage Environmental Consultancy, will affect graves at the historic Peak Mine Cemetery in Shurugwi, where mining operations under Chengxi have expanded into the Boterekwa hills.
Zi-Heritage CEO Takudzwa Pasipanodya said all legal requirements had been met, adding that relevant authorities, including traditional leadership, had been consulted and had approved the process.
The cemetery contains remains of mine workers dating back to the 1940s, many of them migrant labourers from Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique who came to work in Zimbabwe's mining sector. Over time, poor maintenance and lack of markings have made identification of individual graves increasingly difficult.
Some families say the process has revived painful memories and created uncertainty. Mustafo Bero (71), of Ruchanyu Village in Shurugwi, said several of his relatives, including his parents and uncle, are believed to be buried at the site.
"My parents came from Malawi in 1940 to work at Zimasco. My father died in 1956 and was buried at Peak Cemetery. Identification is now a challenge because many graves have no markings," he said.
"The adverts did not reach the people. They should have used local newspapers, traditional leaders and councillors," he said.
Zi-Heritage says all graves will be relocated to a designated cemetery under the Tongogara Rural District Council for families without alternative burial sites. Those who wish to rebury relatives in their rural homes will be assisted with the process.
Pasipanodya said a mapping system has been developed to ensure graves are relocated systematically.
"We have the graveyard map and documentation. If a grave is number one at the old cemetery, it will be relocated as number one at the new site so relatives can still identify it," he said.
The company added that families are being encouraged to come forward to verify records before the exhumation process proceeds fully.
Source - Mirror
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