A dispute over a burial site at West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo has led to the Bulawayo City Council approving plans for exhumation. The conflict revolves around Grave 19 in the Old Anglican Section, where two families, the Saunyamas and Somkences, claim their loved ones are buried.
Florence Saunyama, 69, was buried in the disputed grave in 2003. A year later, Caleb Somkence, 73, was also laid to rest in the same section, but records don’t specify the exact grave number. Despite this, the Somkence family erected a tombstone on Grave 19, believing their relative was buried there.
A meeting between family representatives on January 8, 2025, recommended exhumation to determine whose remains are in Grave 19. The council’s Health, Housing, and Education Committee report suggests that nearby graves may also need to be exhumed to confirm the identity of the remains.
The Bulawayo City Council has authorized its health department to cover the costs of the exhumation, which aims to bring closure to both families. This decision comes after a thorough review of cemetery records and a meeting with family representatives.
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