09 Dec 2014

There are two operational cemeteries in Francistown; namely Gerald Block 1 and Gerald Block 6.

Answering a question in Parliament on December 8, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, said the two cemeteries had been segregated such that the Block 1 cemetery catered for the burial of infants and children.

She said the reason for the segregation was that both cemeteries had rock outcrops and clay deposits, which make excavation of graves a challenge.

She said in regard, excavation could only be done using a mechanical excavating machine and compressors. Ms Tshireletso further said due to such ground conditions and the resultant high water table, the graves become waterlogged during the rainy season.

She said her ministry through the City of Francistown Council had deployed excavating machines and compressors to dig graves at both cemeteries and has been negotiating with the North East district council together with Tati Land Board to request for allocation of a piece of land to be used as a cemetery in the surrounding area.

Ms Tshireletso however, said the request had not been acceded to on grounds of shortage of land; as such, under the circumstances the ministry through the City Council will continue to use the two cemeteries at Gerald Estate despite the challenges while still considering other options of securing land for a cemetery.

The Assistant Minister was answering a question in Parliament from MP for Francistown East Mr Buti Billy who had asked the Minister if she was aware that Francistown did not have a cemetery and if so, to state what the Ministry would do about it. ENDS