Family Feud Unraveled: Grave Dispute Requires City Council Intervention

A grave dispute in Bulawayo’s West Park Cemetery involves two families claiming their deceased relatives are interred in the same plot. The City Council intervened to mediate the conflict, recommending an exhumation to clarify the situation. Despite records confirming one burial, the absence of a grave number for the second complicates matters significantly.

A peculiar dispute in Bulawayo has prompted the intervention of the City Council amid a family conflict concerning a grave mix-up. At West Park Cemetery’s Old Anglican Section, the families of the late Florence Saunyama and Caleb Somkence are in disagreement over the burial location of their relatives, both asserting that they occupy the same grave. Due to the contentious nature of the case, both families have requested the local government to finance an exhumation to settle the dispute.

The situation arose when the Somkence family installed a tombstone at the disputed site, believing their relative was interred there. However, municipal records indicate that Florence Saunyama was laid to rest in Grave 19 in 2003, while Caleb Somkence, who was buried in the same section in 2004, does not have a documented grave number. This discrepancy has complicated the situation further.

An investigation led by the Director of Health Services revealed that accurate burial records show When Florence Saunyama was buried in Grave 19 on September 24, 2003. Meanwhile, the grave number for Caleb Somkence, buried on November 10, 2004, was not recorded, compounding the uncertainty due to the presence of two unmarked graves adjacent to the disputed location.

To address the issue, representatives from both families convened a meeting on January 8, 2025. The outcome recommended an exhumation to ascertain the identity of the remains located in Grave 19, with potential exploration of nearby graves for additional identification. Following the joint recommendations, the council’s Health Services Department secured approval to proceed with the exhumation costs, initiating the process of resolving this unusual family matter.

As the City Council prepares for this rare exhumation, both families await the final outcome, eagerly hoping for clarity that would allow them to lay their loved ones to rest in peace.

The unusual grave dispute at West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo has raised significant concerns regarding burial records and family rights. With the families of Florence Saunyama and Caleb Somkence contesting the same grave, the City Council is stepping in to resolve the matter through a planned exhumation. This intervention aims to conclusively identify the remains and provide closure for the affected families, highlighting the importance of accurate record keeping in cemetery management.

Original Source: www.thezimbabwemail.com