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Nyore Madzianike Senior Reporter
MUTARE residents have accused the MDC-led city council of selling burial ground at exorbitant prices, making it difficult for them to access the essential service.

The residents said council was demanding between $75 and $100 at Dangamvura Cemetery while those who preferred the Yeovil Cemetery were being forced to fork out $500.

“The amount council is asking residents to pay for a grave is just too much here in Dangamvura. Council is asking for something between $75 and $100. The money is too much for most families staying here. It becomes a burden to bury our loved ones. These charges should be revised downwards,” said a concerned resident.

City of Mutare Town Clerk Mr Joshua Maligwa, however, said it was not possible to immediately review the charges downwards since the budget for this year had already been gazetted.

Mr Maligwa said council would need to consult with the Minister for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing before it reviewed the charges.

“The charges were arrived at when the ministry did its budget sometime in November last year. We have already gone halfway the budget term. It would then send the entire budget into disarray if we are to review it at this stage,” he said.

Mr Maligwa urged residents to air their concerns when the council starts its budget consultative process sometime next month and suggest the amounts they feel are affordable.

He said the rates might be reviewed if the ministry found the residents’ concerns reasonable.

“I encourage residents to participate in the budget consultation process, which will be held next month. I say let them come and we discuss so that we come up with a figure, which is affordable. In the event that we fail to agree and reach a stalemate, it will then be taken to the ministry for adjudication,” he said

The residents had raised their concerns during a meeting held at Rujeko Government Primary School in Dangamvura on Friday where they begged Member of Parliament for Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency Esau Mupfumi to approach relevant authorities and lobby for the amounts to be revised downwards.

Cde Mupfumi promised to take the matter up with the Minister of LOcal Government, Public Works and National Housing.

He suggested that the money be reduced to $25 and $100 for Dangamvura and Yeovil cemeteries respectively.

“I have noted your concern and I will write to the Minister of (Local Government), Public Works and Housing who deals with such issues,” he said.