Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, raised over $700,000 from the sale of burial space. The City Council said that over 6000 people were buried in its cemeteries, the state-owned Herald newspaper reports.

‘‘These cemeteries recorded a total of 6,355 burials and revenue for all cemeteries was $770,132,’‘ a report by the authorities said.

The 2015 annual report of the Department of Housing and Community Services however noted that the city needed to identify more burial sites because demand for graves outstrips the available space currently.

These cemeteries recorded a total of 6,355 burials and revenue for all cemeteries was $770,132.

Of the two cemeteries available, the City Council had closed one – the Warren Hills Cemetery – with the Harare Provincial Cemetery being the only one available.

They are currently developing a new cemetery measuring 150 hectares. The Eyerstone Cemetery is set to be opened by end of the year.

The report also spoke about general housing in the capital with emphasis on the issue of illegal structures. Such structures the report admitted were widespread in most districts.