MARTIN MULEYA
MUTARE-City of Mutare spokesperson Charles Sadondo has defended the local authority’s move to impose a cemetery visit fee outside the agreed budget framework.
Council has imposed a mandatory $7 fee in the 2026 budget for those who wish to visit graves of their loved ones to put flowers, lay tombstones or to spruce up the graves.
Sadondo told The Midweek Watch that this proposal came after realization that some people were tempering with graves at the cemeteries and that it was a ‘control measure’ of keeping record of those who visit the graves.
During the recent 1335th full council meeting Mutare Mayor Simon Chabuka labelled the proposition a failure of social responsibility.
Ward 10 councillor Calvin Matsiya had told the chamber that the math was not adding up for grieving families.
“If you have seven relatives buried at different cemeteries, you cannot afford $49 just to clean graves and put flowers. It is unjust,” he said.
Housing director Emma Mandiziba when contacted by this publication referred all questions to the Town Clerk citing protocol.
“Visiting the graves is not paid for. What is paid for is grave maintenance. For a visit one has to seek permission from our Housing department and we keep record of those who visit the graves. This development has been necessitated by complaints that some people are tempering with graves. This is a control measure that we have put in place to control access to the graves,” said council spokesperson Sadondo.
When asked how the local authority intends to distinguish a person who wants to temper at the graves and a passer-by at Dangamvura cemetery that has no perimeter wall and the penalty for offenders, Sadondo highlighted that plans were under way to ensure that all cemeteries would be protected with security wall.
“Plans are underway to ensure that all our cemeteries are protected with security walls. In the meantime we have our employees who are stationed at the cemeteries to control access. With regards to fine, I will have to check. I don’t have the figures off hand,” he added.
A local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the US$7 was unreasonable as it meant that for one to visit the grave of his/her loved one, he needs to plan financially.
“The $7 is unreasonable. It also means visits to the graveyard need to be planned prior. Zvekungoti nhasi it’s a Saturday kana holiday ngatibva tonoisa maruva tiri pamwe semhuri hazvichabudi because l need to go and pay $7 at the offices before the visit.
Is this money going to deter rituals from taking place at the cemeteries?
“It’s proving to be difficult for council to maintain the cemeteries, why not allow individuals who care for their departed ones to maintain their loved ones’ graves. Council want to charge residents for coming to clean their tombstones,” queried a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
