Zimbabweans No Longer Have To Pay To Visit Loved Ones’ Graves After Cabinet Decision
The Zimbabwean government has abolished cemetery entry fees following growing public concern over charges that required people to pay to visit the graves of their loved ones. The decision was announced after a Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, ending a practice that had sparked widespread debate in recent months.
Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana confirmed the development on X.
“Cabinet has abolished Cemetery Entry Fees.”
The announcement comes months after controversy erupted over a US$7 (approximately R116) cemetery entry fee introduced by Mutare City Council, which drew criticism from residents and some councillors.
Cabinet Scraps Cemetery Entry Fees Across Zimbabwe
Cabinet’s post-meeting highlights confirmed that cemetery entry fees had been abolished as part of a wider package of measures approved on 4 August 2026.
The decision follows weeks of public debate after Mutare residents objected to paying to enter cemeteries to clean graves, lay flowers or simply visit relatives’ resting places.
Mutare Cemetery Fees Sparked National Debate
Earlier this year, Mutare City Council faced criticism after introducing a US$7 (approximately R116) cemetery entry fee in its 2026 budget.
The proposal even attracted criticism from Mutare Mayor Simon Chabuka, who said he had only become aware of the charge after concerns were raised during a full council meeting.
“There was an outcry from residents. Some wanted to place flowers at graves and were being charged US$7; others wanted to visit a cemetery simply to show a grave to a relative who was absent during the funeral and were also being charged US$7. So I carried out my own investigation.”
Ward 10 councillor Calvin Matsiya also questioned the impact of the fee on families.
“If you have seven relatives buried across the city, that is US$49 (approximately R813) just to clean or lay flowers. How many families can afford that? It is an act of injustice.”
Council officials had argued that the fee was intended to regulate access to cemeteries and discourage activities such as unauthorised rituals.
The removal of cemetery entry fees is expected to bring relief to families who regularly visit the graves of their loved ones without facing additional charges.
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