‘No mass burials in Chimanimani’

By Nyore Madzianike

Chimanimani acting district administrator Mr Lloyd Kasima has dismissed reports that victims of Cyclone Idai were buried in mass graves at Ngangu in Chimanimani, saying all the bodies were properly buried and with dignity.

Mr Kasima said all the 47 bodies, which were buried on Tuesday and Wednesday, were awarded decent burials in the presence of the deceased’s relatives.

“There were no mass burials which were (conducted) here in Chimanimani,” he said.

“All the bodies were properly buried in the presence of their relatives with strict supervision from the authorities.

“The burials were conducted in Ward 15 in Chimanimani urban, which was the most affected area. The bodies were positively identified and their relatives were informed and they participated during the burials.”

Mr Kasima said there were common incidences where relatives — a mother and child or closely related family members — were buried in a single, but partitioned grave, where coffins were separately laid. He said such burials were done after full consultations with relatives of the deceased.

“It was common cause that after consultations with relatives of the deceased, the bodies were then buried in a single partitioned grave,” said Mr Kasima.

“That is when people confused such burials with mass graves. They were not mass graves, but proper graves to afford one a decent burial.”

Chimanimani East legislator Cde Joshua Sacco said the burials at Ngangu were done properly. The Herald