MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU- City of Gweru residents have expressed disappointment over the council’s proposed 2025 increases in cemetery and medical fees, which have risen by more than 600% and 284% respectively.
The Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) called the hikes “insensitive and outrageous.”
GRRA executive director Cornelia Selipiwe said the cemetery fees are “exorbitant” and urged the local authority to instead increase penalty fees on unapproved construction to cover financial needs.
Pastor Tawanda Sibanda from Gweru Ministers Fraternity also condemned the burial fee proposal, imploring council to revert to the 2024 tariffs.
Under the new plan, adult burials in the town area will cost US$200, up from US$52 previously.
Child and stillborn burials increased to US$100 from US$26, while burial of ashes is now US$250, up from US$83.20, and scattering of ashes is US$200, up from US$52.
Maintenance of graves for senior citizens rose to US$100 from US$20.80, while the cost of reserving a memorial plot surged to US$400 from US$104.
Cremation fees jumped from US$62.40 to US$300, and tombstone erection fees increased from US$52 to US$200.
Weekend burial fees also saw drastic hikes, with child burials in the town area climbing 669.23% to US$100 from US$26, and adult burials rising to US$200 from US$52.
Non-resident fees were also sharply increased, with adult burials on weekdays now US$300, up from US$124.80, and US$600 on weekends, up from US$166.40.
High-density suburb non-resident fees rose from US$208 to US$400 on weekends and from US$104 to US$200 on weekdays.
Deputy Finance Director Michael Verenga defended the increases, stating the council was struggling to maintain cemeteries with the previous “uneconomic tariffs.”
The city also proposed a 50% tax tariff relief for industry and commerce, which officials say will result in $5.8 million getting into the local economy.
