Maravi

(HERALD) Ruwa exhumations unsettle fearful community

Ruwa exhumations unsettle fearful community
Saturday, 12 November 2011 21:06
Senior Reporter

IMAGINE a horror movie that depicts families living in a town where spirits of the departed torment them relentlessly. Watching such a film would make you cringe, fearing a real-life re-enactment of the horrors.

For residents near Ruwa Country Club Golf Estate this is not the stuff of movies, for they are, in actual fact, terrified after a property developer exhumed the bodies of former workers who were buried in a cemetery at the club to pave way for the construction of residential properties.

Fears of supernatural occurrences abound, especially after relatives of some of the ex-workers complained the exhumations were not conducted according to custom.

“Experiencing such scenes affects one’s mind. We do not know what the future holds as we are afraid the spirits will come back to haunt us,” said Mrs Dorothy Mukwepa, who witnessed the exhumations on Monday last week.

“People are talking about the exhumations as though it were something that does not deserve respect. It is also worrying that some unclaimed bodies were buried haphazardly without the knowledge of relatives.

“Surely, this will bring bad fortune to this community.”

Ruwa Country Club Golf Estate mooted the housing project several years ago.
It intends to construct upmarket houses, a boutique and hotel on site. The plan was set in motion with the exhumation of more than 50 bodies, some of which had spent 40 years in the belly of the earth.

The bodies were reburied at Ruwa Cemetery, courtesy of a local funeral service company while the estate owners gave each family US$200 for traditional rites.
Relatives of the former club workers came to witness the process.

The day was hardly what they expected. They thought stoicism would be a strong pillar to contain their emotions. However, the very sight of their loved ones being “resurrected” under such circumstances evoked fresh memories of their deaths several years ago. The relatives wept uncontrollably as if their loved ones had just passed away. It was like a fresh funeral. Most of the workers were Muslims and, as such, the reburials should have been carried out in line with Islamic tradition.

Mrs Mukwepa’s mother and father-in-law were buried at the cemetery. She said the two once lived at the estate.

“On Monday last week, we gathered at the club since we had an argument with the estate owners regarding the exhumation of our relatives’ bodies.

“We waited for them from around 8am until in the afternoon. A funeral service firm brought in coffins and undertakers. Mr Fred Dongo, the estate’s executive secretary, indicated there was no need for traditional leaders to be present since a cleansing ceremony was conducted last month.

“Everyone was instructed to identify their relative’s grave. They then began to dig until the buried coffins were visible. What grieved us the most is that the coffins they provided for reburial were too small.

[Freddy Dondo, the executive secretary of Ruwa Country Club Golf Estate, points to the area where an upmarket suburb, boutique and hotel will be built.]

Freddy Dondo, the executive secretary of Ruwa Country Club Golf Estate, points to the area where an upmarket suburb, boutique and hotel will be built.

“They were probably big enough for six-year-olds. The company representatives suggested folding the body parts. That caused an uproar. The bodies were later taken to the mortuary where the appropriate coffins were provided.”

Taurai Maduwapere, whose grandmother was also buried at the cemetery, said disrespect for the deceased had repercussions.

“I am deeply saddened because she was buried with utmost respect when she died. But now, the way everything is being done is painful,” she said.

“I also took part in handling the reburial. I do not think her spirit will rest. There was also a risk that the whole area would be dug up with or without our consent.”

The managing director of the estate, Mr Freddy Chunga, said the construction project began three years ago. He said it involved local chiefs, the local authority and the bereaved relatives.

“We have a building project where houses, a small boutique and hotel will be built. The area is strategic as it is close to the airport,” he said.

“This cemetery is about 50 years old and we managed to work with the surviving relatives to carry out the whole programme.”

Mr Dongo said: “We exhumed 21 identified and 18 unknown bodies. Caskets were provided as part of efforts to accord them a decent reburial.

“I think the chaos came from the emotions of relatives who, having seen the bodies of their loved ones, got painful memories. However, most of the bodies had decomposed.”

He dismissed fears of a bad omen.

“We did everything according to the laws of the land, including seeking the authority of the local leadership. There is no need to fear because most housing projects are built on land where cemeteries were once located.”

He said the US$200 paid out to each family was to facilitate private rituals.
President of the Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council Chief Fortune Charumbira said no spirits would haunt residents as long as the exhumations were done in line with traditional custom.

Labels: RHODESIA, WAR CRIMES

posted by MrK @ 6:15 PM