Bulawayo municipal authorities plan to demolish unauthorized grave markers at newer burial grounds after years of policy violations, threatening enforcement against 107 families who constructed full tombstones despite regulations permitting only headstones. The council issued removal notices to 65 households at Umvutcha Cemetery and 42 at Athlone Cemetery, citing a 2018 resolution that restricts memorial structures to facilitate maintenance operations, including grass cutting at sites established after the directive took effect.
Officials indicated that many bereaved relatives installed monuments covering entire burial plots rather than adhering to the dimensional limits of 1.2 meters by 2.2 meters with a one-meter maximum length. The municipality collected approximately $19,456 from tombstone installation fees across five cemeteries during the reporting period, charging $38 per structure. Authorities announced plans for public education campaigns through radio programming to clarify that the prohibition applies exclusively to Athlone West, Umvutsha and other recently opened facilities while older burial grounds remain exempt from the restrictions.
Officials indicated that many bereaved relatives installed monuments covering entire burial plots rather than adhering to the dimensional limits of 1.2 meters by 2.2 meters with a one-meter maximum length. The municipality collected approximately $19,456 from tombstone installation fees across five cemeteries during the reporting period, charging $38 per structure. Authorities announced plans for public education campaigns through radio programming to clarify that the prohibition applies exclusively to Athlone West, Umvutsha and other recently opened facilities while older burial grounds remain exempt from the restrictions.
