Grave Dispute in Bulawayo Cemetery: A Quest for Closure

A family feud in Bulawayo’s West Park Cemetery involves two families claiming the same grave for their deceased relatives. The dispute, centered on Grave 19, has prompted the City Council’s intervention and a recommendation for an exhumation to clarify burial identities. Council records show discrepancies that have fueled tensions, with families awaiting resolution.

A peculiar dispute has arisen in Bulawayo involving the West Park Cemetery, prompting City Council intervention to restore order. This family conflict centers around two families asserting that their deceased relatives were interred in the same grave, specifically Grave 19 in the Old Anglican Section. As tensions grow, both families have requested local authorities to finance an exhumation to resolve their contention.

The dispute primarily involves the families of Florence Saunyama and Caleb Somkence, with both asserting that their loved ones rest in Grave 19. The situation intensified when the Somkence family installed a tombstone on the grave, believing their relative was buried there. However, City Council records indicate that Florence Saunyama was indeed buried there in 2003, while Caleb Somkence’s burial took place in 2004, though without a recorded grave number.

Council investigations revealed details concerning burial records through a report filed by the Director of Health Services. It confirmed that Florence Saunyama was interred on September 24, 2003, in Grave 19, while Caleb Somkence was buried on November 10, 2004, without a documented grave number. The presence of two nearby unmarked graves has further complicated the situation, leaving uncertainty about the identities of remains in Grave 19.

In an attempt to address the issue, a meeting with family representatives convened on January 8, 2025, leading to a recommendation for exhumation to ascertain the identities of the remains. The minutes indicated, “To ascertain whose remains are in Grave 19, exhumation will be necessary. The process may also involve opening nearby graves to determine if the remains of one of the deceased persons lie there.”

Consequently, the Health Services Department requested authorization to cover the exhumation costs. This request received approval, allowing the exhumation process to commence. Families now await the results of this rare procedure, hoping it will finally provide closure regarding their loved ones’ resting places.

The unusual grave dispute at Bulawayo’s West Park Cemetery highlights a significant family conflict over burial rights, leading to City Council involvement. The discrepancy between burial records for Florence Saunyama and Caleb Somkence has caused heightened tensions, necessitating the potential exhumation of remains to clarify the situation. As families anticipate answers, the council’s actions represent an extraordinary effort to resolve delicate, emotional matters.

Original Source: www.thezimbabwemail.com