Rains destroy Paradise Park graves

MARONDERA- In the wake of heavy rains that pounded most parts of the country in the past two weeks, the Municipality of Marondera called on residents to check and renovate graves of their deceased relatives who were laid to rest at Paradise Park Cemetery.

The call by the local authority came after several graves had collapsed.

In a notice, the local authority urged residents who buried their relatives last year at the cemetery to go and inspect the graves.

“The Municipality of Marondera would like to inform all residents and stakeholders that the current weather conditions have caused some graves at the Paradise Cemetery to collapse. The municipality has received significant rainfall over the past few days which have compromised the integrity of the graves, especially those from March 2023 to date.

“We encourage all residents and stakeholders who have loved ones buried at Paradise Cemetery, particularly those interred during the period, to inspect the graves and ensure they are sound.

Our dedicated cemetery caretakers are available to assist anyone who needs further assistance at the cemetery,” the notice read.

The cemetery is located in the affluent low density suburb of Paradise Park and the fees charged to bury the deceased there are expensive.

Of late, there has been limited space at the cemetery resulting in council selling graves near a wetland at the gravesite even though calls have been made for the local authority to establish a new cemetery in recent years.