40 Graves Turned into Sweet Potato & Tomato Beds

40 Graves Turned into Sweet Potato & Tomato Beds

According to a recent report, more than 40 undocumented burials in Zimbabwe have taken an unexpected turn. Apostolic communities were responsible for digging these graves, but what happened next is shocking. The burial sites were transformed into sweet potato and tomato beds!

Apostolic Sects Healing Rituals Fueling Cholera Cases

The revelation came to light during a provincial heads meeting in Chinhoyi, where Dr. Celestino Dhege, the medical director of Mashonaland West, presented the findings. This revelation has sparked heated discussions about death handling practices, public health implications, and cultural norms.

These secret burials occurred in Hurungwe District, specifically in Maronda/Mangate, Shumba, Village 5, Chakaraya, and Dzokamushure Villages. The impact of this unusual practice on the community remains a topic of debate.

40 Graves Turned into Sweet Potato & Tomato Beds

The report says villagers have been seeing vegetable gardens and beds sprouting each morning unaware that underneath the fertile soils lies a dead child denied medical attention.

Dr Dhege added that a household in Ward 22 had lost children aged 12, nine, seven, three, one and half years within a short space of time. Dhege said:

“Where we have outbreaks like cholera and measles, some apostolic members bury their children at night after denying them access to medical care.

“To conceal the horrendous act, they plant sweet potatoes on top of the graves. To them, the death of a child is not as significant as we think. They believe children are like bricks, more will be moulded.”

Mthwakazi Party Raids Apostolic Sect Shrines in Bulawayo

A 23-year-old mother, Tariro Gambe, was recently divorced by her husband, disowned by her parents and de-churched by the sect after she sought medical attention following the death of her nine-year-old child in March this year.