Four Arrested for Violating 380 Graves in Harare

Harare, Zimbabwe – December 5, 2024

By A Correspondent | In a shocking development, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with the desecration of approximately 380 graves at Restland Memorial Park in Rainham, Harare. The arrests mark the culmination of an investigation into grave violations spanning nearly a decade, from 2015 to 2024.

The suspects, identified as Edwin Muronzi, Tinashe Chiguma (32), Moses Gwanya (19), and Kudakwashe Humure (21), were apprehended following a report made by Tinashe Chiguma. Chiguma informed authorities that he had been experiencing unsettling visions of deceased individuals, which prompted him to come forward. During his statement, Chiguma implicated his employer, Edwin Muronzi, as well as his co-accused, leading to their swift arrests.

According to ZRP investigations, Edwin Muronzi employed grave diggers at the cemetery, paying them between USD $15.00 and $20.00 per grave to exhume and desecrate burial sites. The alleged motive behind these violations was to create space for new burials, with Muronzi orchestrating the illicit operation. Police reports also suggest that additional suspects involved in the scheme remain at large.

The desecration of graves at Restland Memorial Park has sent shockwaves across Harare and raised questions about the oversight and management of burial grounds in the city. Authorities have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to locate other individuals implicated in the scandal.

This developing story highlights a disturbing case of cemetery violations, with families and communities now demanding accountability and justice for the desecration of their loved ones’ final resting places. Further details are expected as investigations continue.