Gweru City Council To Hike Burial Fees By More Than 100%

Gweru City Council is mulling plans to hike the burial charges for both residents and non-residents. The proposed increase in the charges will result in non-residents forking out $160 from $60 for adults and $80 from $30 for children and still-born babies.

The acting finance director, Owen Masimba said

Council intends to increase burial fees for non-residents from $60 to $160 for adults, while children and still-born burial charges have increased from $30 to $80.

We have also slightly increased burial fees for residents from $60 to $80 for adults and $30 to $40 for children and the still-born, respectively.

However, Gweru residents have castigated the proposed unilateral increases. Gweru Residents Forum Director, Charles Mazorodze said

The proposed increase of burial fees by almost 140% for non-residents and also the hike for residents comes at a time people are reeling under difficult economic conditions bedevilling the country and Gweru is no exception.

Councillors and management should urgently revisit the proposed cemetery fees increase and a litany of other tariff increases and move to adopt a pro-poor and leaner budget. Residents cannot suffer at meeting the cost of service delivery and then suffer again in forking out money to their final resting place.

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