Family Feud Erupts Over Grave Dispute in Bulawayo

A serious family feud in Bulawayo has led to a conflict over grave sites at West Park Cemetery. Two families claim burial rights over the same grave, prompting the City Council to consider funding an exhumation to resolve the issue. The investigation confirmed one burial but left the other shrouded in uncertainty due to missing records.

A significant dispute has emerged in Bulawayo, leading the City Council to step in due to a contentious family feud over grave sites at West Park Cemetery’s Old Anglican Section. Two families assert that their deceased relatives were interred in the same grave, requiring local authorities to fund an exhumation as a resolution.

The conflict involves the late Florence Saunyama and Caleb Somkence’s families, both claiming rights over Grave 19. The situation grew tenser when the Somkence family placed a tombstone at the site, believing their relative’s remains were there. However, city records confirm that Florence Saunyama was buried in that grave in 2003, while Caleb Somkence’s burial occurred in 2004, but his grave number was not documented.

An investigation by the Director of Health Services confirmed Florence’s burial details through various records. Nevertheless, the lack of a recorded grave number for Somkence has added complexity to the situation. Adding to the confusion are two unmarked graves adjacent to the disputed location, making accurate identification difficult.

Following a meeting held on January 8, 2025, a recommendation for exhumation emerged as a means to determine whose remains are in Grave 19. This process might also require examining nearby unmarked graves to establish if one of the deceased rests there. Consequently, the Health Services Department has sought and received authorization for the exhumation’s funding, initiating the process. As the city gears up for this unusual measure, the families await clarity, hoping for resolution regarding their loved ones’ remains.

The dispute over grave sites in Bulawayo highlights the complexities involved in burial records and familial claims. The intervention by the City Council, together with the recommendation for exhumation, aims to resolve the conflicting claims of two families regarding their deceased relatives. This rare situation underscores the importance of clear documentation in burial practices and the emotional toll disputes can take on families.

Original Source: www.thezimbabwemail.com