…dead Mwenezi man buried in kitchen
Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – People in Village 4 Mangondi Ward 14 under Chief Chitanga and other surrounding communities were recently left tongue-tied after an elderly villager’s grave was dug inside his kitchen.
Following a short illness, the elderly man identified only as Magaya, who was in his late 70s, died and was buried last Thursday in one of his houses in the village.
Though no immediate comment could be obtained from Chief Chitanga, Councillor Admire Matutu of Ward 14 said he had also received reports of the strange burial.
“I did not manage to attend Magaya’s burial but I also heard that he was buried in a house. Originally the man is from Malawi, so I think his burial was in accordance with their culture,” said Matutu.
Other villagers who witnessed the burial process said the arrangement had left them with many unanswered questions.
“Several villagers are still shocked. Previously, we had witnessed the burial of some Malawians but we never heard of anyone being buried inside a house. The house where Magaya was buried had its floor levelled and people were told to continue using it as usual.
“What also baffles the mind is that we heard that he was buried with a knife in his hand,” said a villager who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The deceased reportedly married a local woman and settled in the village a long time back.
Sources said he had children from his previous marriage but did not have any with the local woman he married, who also had children of her own from previous relationships.local
