Wearing a solemn expression and dressed in casual shorts and a black T-shirt, Wicknell Chivayo stands alone before a towering grave monument built for his late mother. The polished black stonework and roofed structure, adorned with the word “MUM” in bold yellow flowers, dwarfs surrounding graves and resembles a private mausoleum more than a public cemetery plot.
But in Bulawayo, such extravagant tombstone designs are now under threat of demolition.
City Council Declares Clampdown
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube has issued a stern warning: tombstones erected at new cemeteries in defiance of the 2018 city policy will be demolished, citing the Cemeteries Act and Bulawayo Cemeteries Regulations of 1967.
“The policy is clear,” said Dube in the latest Health, Housing and Education Committee report. “Only headstones are permitted. Residents who have put up tombstones in violation of this directive will be issued with demolition orders.”
This directive specifically targets new cemeteries such as Athlone West, where graveyards are becoming increasingly difficult to manage due to overgrowth and restricted maintenance access.
Chivayo’s Grave Sparks Debate
Although Chivayo’s mother is not buried in a Bulawayo cemetery, his flamboyant show of wealth at her grave — complete with imported granite, a shaded roof, and designer finish — has reignited national debate over economic disparity, cultural excess, and now municipal policy enforcement.
The image of Chivayo’s monument has gone viral, with critics arguing it symbolizes unchecked privilege, even in death, while thousands of Zimbabweans are buried in unmarked or poorly maintained graves.
Why the Ban?
The city says the new policy is practical, not punitive:
- Headstones make it easier for council tractors to cut grass and clear paths, avoiding the need for costly manual labour.
- Most graves are abandoned shortly after burial, leaving the council with maintenance responsibility.
- Limiting grave monument dimensions ensures uniformity and prevents illegal extensions.
Regulations at a Glance
Families wishing to install a headstone must:
- Apply with verification from cemetery supervisors.
- Follow dimension limits of 1.2 meters by 2.2 meters.
- Present a Tombstone Application Permit and receipt.
- Complete installation under supervision of cemetery officials.
Six known cases of non-compliance have already been documented, with councillors pushing for stronger enforcement and community awareness through radio, funeral parlours, and ward meetings.
Running Out of Space
As Bulawayo’s burial space continues to shrink, the council is also encouraging cremation as a long-term solution.
While Wicknell Chivayo’s mausoleum-like grave may escape municipal reach due to its location, it now stands as a symbol of a growing class divide — even in how the dead are remembered. Meanwhile, the City of Bulawayo is drawing a line: graves are for mourning, not monuments of wealth.
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