By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – Masvingo City Council is moving to review burial fees upwards as Mangwandi
Cemetery runs out of grave space, with only 267 graves remaining and the facility expected to be
exhausted by August 20, 2027 if current burial trends continue.
This means residents will be forced to use the new alternative Cambria Farm Cemetery that is
around 10km away from town
According to a report by the Director of Housing and Social Services tabled before a full council
meeting, Mangwandi, one of the city’s main cemeteries with designated sections for adults and
children, is overwhelmed by increasing demand for burial space.
The pressure was exacerbated by the official closure of Lawn Cemetery, which has left more
residents relying on Mangwandi for burial services.
The first segment of Mangwandi was commissioned in 1996 with a carrying capacity of 1,416
graves, while the second segment was commissioned in May 2019 with 864 graves. As of
September 2026, only 267 graves were left, with council noting that the children’s section was
likely to be exhausted within a relatively short period.
Council resolved that the Director of Housing and Social Services should prepare a report on
reviewing burial fees upwards, as the current grave fees were considered too low compared to
market costs.
The local authority also resolved to institute measures to encourage the public to take up burial
space at Cambria Farm Cemetery, which was established as an alternative facility but is shunned
by most residents because it is approximately 10 kilometres away from the Central Business
District and difficult to access.
Council also resolved that a private cemetery for high-income earners could be explored to
reduce demand at public cemeteries, while the Director was instructed to fence Mangwandi
Cemetery to protect graves from stray animals damaging tombstones.
Ward 7 Councillor Simbarashe Shonhiwa proposed the expansion of Lawn Cemetery to create a
private cemetery.
“Why don’t we extend Lawn Cemetery and charge prices that are a bit high, like Glen Forest in
Harare? Prices there are high. We also have some wealthy people here in Masvingo who do not
want to be buried in rural areas and also do not want to be buried at Mangwandi Cemetery. The
cemetery will also serve residents from Eastvale and Ward 8 because some may not want to
travel to the new Cambria Farm, which is 10km away,” said Shonhiwa.
Ward 2 Councillor Benson Hwata said council should dig graves and sell dug graves because
some people have no manpower to dig.
Mayor Alec Tabe said that was the plan, adding that council would provide all the services
needed, including well-dug graves with all other services.Tabe insisted that they move to
Cambria Farm, saying the small space left at Mangwandi could be used for special occasions.
Councillor Sengerayi Manyanga said council should declare, as it did with buses, that by October
15, residents should start using Cambria Cemetery while the dumpsite is decommissioned.
