Athlone Cemetery to re-open

THE Bulawayo City Council is set to re-open Athlone Cemetery in the next three months, with the cemetery’s extension expected to hold more than 8 000 graves.

Athlone Cemetery in Northend suburb closed years ago after it ran out of space but burials of people with reserved burial space has been taking place.

BCC senior public relations officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the cemetery is likely to re-open by June this year.

She said the extension is expected to hold 8 250 graves, a move that will counter the shortage of burial space.

“The space covered by the cemetery extension is 4.06 hectares, which we expect to hold about 8 250 graves. We expect to wind up burials at West Park in mid-June 2018 and that’s when we will move over to Athlone extension,” said Mrs Mpofu.

Efforts to start clearing land at the cemetery had begun when a Chronicle news crew visited the area yesterday.

Mrs Mpofu said council is also working towards opening Marvel cemetery, which will hold 4 000 graves.

“Luveve Cemetery is still available for burials and with Athlone coming online there will be adequate burial facilities although work is in progress to open Marvel Cemetery,” she said.

In January, the Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda, encouraged residents to consider burying two people in one grave and cremation to avert space shortages. — @NyarieBakie.