Fourteen years after the controversial death of Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira, his final resting place in Chitungwiza’s Unit L cemetery continues to generate heated debate.
Nzira, convicted in 2003 on seven counts of rape and one of indecent assault, served a 42-year sentence (with 10 years suspended) before his release on medical grounds in 2011. His death a few months later, however, has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his elaborate grave.
Unlike the neglected and overgrown graves that surround it, Nzira’s burial site is a striking, 100-square-metre enclosure, meticulously fenced with a gleaming white palisade. A newly constructed tarmac path, barely a metre wide, snakes its way through the cemetery, seemingly designed to guide visitors directly to Nzira’s grand tombstone. This path, however, is the source of considerable anger and resentment among relatives of those buried nearby.
The path’s construction, according to several grieving family members, involved the blatant disregard for existing graves. Their complaints, voiced both on social media and in personal accounts, detail how the tarmac literally cuts across other headstones, and the palisade fence encroaches upon adjacent burial plots.
One family member, expressing their outrage, stated: “You see this tarmac, some graves have been tempered with for its construction. It means his grave is more important than others. His graveyard is surrounded by other graves that have been tempered with. My father’s grave has been desecrated. They did not consider other graves as they were erecting the palisade fence. It is not fair. Council should investigate.”
These accusations of desecration have sparked significant tension within the cemetery. The alleged disregard for the sanctity of other graves has deeply offended those who visit their loved ones’ resting places. The contrast between the meticulously maintained path leading to Nzira’s grave and the neglected state of surrounding plots serves as a stark visual representation of the perceived injustice. In some instances, the tarmac path appears to have literally cut into the weathered headstones of adjacent graves, creating a deeply unsettling juxtaposition.
The investigative unit, Truth Diggers, from Alpha Media Holdings (publishers of NewsDay, The Standard, Zimbabwe Independent, and HStv), sought clarification from the Nzira family, who strongly denied the allegations of desecration. Cecil Sinamano, the family spokesperson, explained that the grave was intentionally placed on an anthill, a location the local authority typically avoids for burials.
He claimed this was done to ensure the site remained undisturbed. Furthermore, Sinamano stated that the family had purchased twelve plots surrounding the anthill, anticipating the need for a large and lasting memorial to their leader. He added that the council had donated two additional plots in recognition of Nzira’s past contributions.
Sinamano also addressed the construction of the palisade fence and tarmac path, stating that the fence was erected to protect the grave from vandalism and unauthorised access. He explained that the path was carefully designed to avoid other graves, and that the family even took steps to secure other grave markers to prevent damage. “It is a lie that we defiled other graves,” Sinamano insisted.
“We just utilised the space for 12 graves that we acquired from the local authority. We erected the palisade fence upon realising that some people whom we did not know were desecrating our leader’s grave. Some people would just come to leave their belongings there while others just visited the shrine hoping for divine solutions to various problems or for ritual purposes as they know the powers that the leader had.” He further stated that the families complaining had never directly approached the Nzira family with their concerns, only expressing their grievances on social media.
Chitungwiza Town Council, however, has conducted its own investigation. Spokesperson Tafadza Kachiko reported that the investigation found no evidence of grave desecration. “Investigations done so far have shown no evidence of tampering of any graves,” Kachiko stated.
“The church purchased the space for the late Madzibaba Nzira’s mausoleum before his burial in 2011. We encourage any complainants in the matter to come forward so that we have dialogue together with the Nzira representatives for closure.”
This statement, however, does little to quell the anger and frustration felt by those who believe their family members’ resting places have been disrespected.
The controversy surrounding Madzibaba Nzira’s grave highlights the deep-seated cultural beliefs surrounding death and burial in Zimbabwe. Graves are considered sacred spaces, and any disturbance is viewed as a profound violation. The belief in the afterlife and the importance of respecting the deceased’s final resting place are integral to many African traditions.
Popular talk show host Rebecca Chisamba of the Mai Chisamba Show, commenting on the matter, noted the strong cultural beliefs surrounding the afterlife and the sanctity of burial places. She highlighted the traditional practices of burying respected individuals, such as chiefs, in secret caves on sacred mountains.
“People have different ways to bury their relatives according to their different cultures. However, going as far as building mausoleums depends on someone’s status in their communities. Like the chiefs were traditionally buried on mountains in some caves,” Mai Chisamba said.
The incident also raises questions about the management of Chitungwiza Cemetery and the enforcement of regulations regarding grave sites and construction. While the council investigation concluded there was no evidence of grave tampering, the visible impact of the path construction and the persistent anger of affected families suggest a need for further investigation and a more sensitive approach to managing the cemetery and addressing community concerns.
