More than 100 graves were vandalized at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare this week by unidentified individuals, whose motives remain unclear.
According to Chief Parks and Cemeteries Officer Godfrey Batsirai Munetsi, people have been entering the cemetery at night since Tuesday, damaging tombstones. Munetsi expressed uncertainty regarding the motive behind the desecration but noted the possibility of witchcraft, as similar incidents often occur at night in cemeteries.
He highlighted a previous case at a Mbare cemetery where a mentally disturbed individual destroyed tombstones adorned with crucifixes, indicating potential ritualistic motives.
Law enforcement has been notified, and surveillance continues due to ongoing suspicious activities during the night. The scale of the vandalism, with over 100 graves damaged in just three days, suggests involvement by multiple perpetrators.
George Kandiero, president of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), echoed concerns about witchcraft, attributing such acts to individuals seeking power and wealth through sorcery.
One affected individual, Theresa Nyoni, expressed dismay at finding her late father’s tombstone damaged only four months after its unveiling, vowing to seek justice.
This incident follows a previous theft at Warren Hills Cemetery in April 2022, where thieves stole thousands of memorial plaques over two months. City of Harare officials suspect the stolen brass plaques were sold to scrap metal dealers for jewelry production.
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Zimbabwean law criminalizes grave violation and corpse mutilation under sections 110 and 111 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
However, certain exemptions are granted for activities such as post-mortem examinations and burial preparations conducted in accordance with relevant laws.
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