Woman exhumes mother's remains after 4 years, family divided

A bitter family dispute has erupted in Harare after a Zimbabwean woman based in the United Kingdom arranged for her mother's remains to be exhumed and reburied at Warren Hills Cemetery, four years after her death.

Josephine Rudo Mutabeni maintains that she was fulfilling the final wishes of her mother, Dorothy Celani Mutabeni, who died in September 2022 and was initially laid to rest at Restland Cemetery in Reinham.

However, the decision has sparked tensions among relatives, with some questioning why the alleged burial wishes were only raised four years after Dorothy's death.

The exhumation took place on Friday under police supervision, with officials from several institutions present to oversee the process.

Josephine, who travelled from the United Kingdom, defended her decision, arguing that her mother had not received the dignified burial she deserved.

"My mother was not accorded a proper burial. She deserves one and that is why I saw it better to rebury her remains," she said.

She declined to discuss the matter further, describing it as a private family issue.

"I cannot say more than that since I am not sure of the person who informed the media on a matter I believe is private," Josephine added.

The exhumation was witnessed by Josephine and her daughter, a representative of Chief Zvimba, a pathologist from Parirenyatwa Hospital, a City of Harare environmental health officer and police officers from Mabelreign Police Station.

Following the exhumation, Dorothy's remains were transported to Parirenyatwa Hospital before being reburied at Warren Hills Cemetery later that day.

Police maintained a presence throughout the exercise as disagreements among family members continued.

Dorothy was survived by four daughters, two of whom reside in the United Kingdom, including Josephine, while the other two live in Zimbabwe.

The dispute reportedly involves Josephine and six other members of the Mutabeni family who are opposed to the exhumation.

Her sister, Olive Mutabeni, who had lived with their mother before her death, reportedly approached the courts seeking an interdict to prevent the removal of the remains.

However, it could not be established whether the application was granted or whether any court order had been served before the exhumation proceeded.

Other relatives expressed shock and disappointment over the development, arguing that Dorothy had already been given a proper burial, followed by a memorial service and the installation of a tombstone.

One family member questioned Josephine's decision to raise the issue several years after the original burial.

"This is so disturbing and questionable for one family member to travel from UK to open the grave claiming to fulfil the late woman's wish, which was never mentioned in the past four years," the relative said.

"We conducted a memorial service and laid a tombstone but she never came forward with her claims."

The relative also questioned the cultural implications of disturbing a grave years after burial.

"Is this traditional or what is she trying to portray?" the family member asked.

The disagreement has exposed deep divisions within the family over who should determine a deceased relative's final resting place and how alleged burial wishes should be honoured.

While Josephine insists that the reburial was an act of respect for her late mother, other relatives maintain that the original burial arrangements had already provided a dignified farewell.

Despite the objections, Dorothy's remains have now been reinterred at Warren Hills Cemetery, although the family dispute surrounding the decision remains unresolved.