In Morogoro, Tanzania, a shocking wave of grave robberies has traumatized families and left sacred burial sites in tatters. Thieves increasingly target crosses and tombstones in cemeteries, feeding a growing market for scrap metal. In particular, Pudensiana Chumbi has witnessed the repeated vandalism of her mother’s and daughter’s graves, pointing to a broader issue affecting over 250 graves. As families across the region mourn their losses, local authorities and religious leaders are calling for stricter regulations and community action to restore dignity and safety to these sacred spaces.
Grave Robbery Epidemic Haunts Morogoro Families
Grave Robbery Epidemic Haunts Morogoro Families
Grave desecrations in Tanzania have devastated families and highlighted the plight for better cemetery security.
The article text:
In the eastern Tanzanian city of Morogoro, a distressing trend of grave robbing has emerged, leaving families heartbroken and cemeteries disfigured. Across Kola Municipal Cemetery, thieves have vandalized more than 250 graves, targeting metal crucifixes and other grave markers in a quest for scrap. The crimes typically occur under the cover of darkness, when there are no workers or security personnel present.
Pudensiana Chumbi, who has visited her daughter's and mother's graves for over twenty years, has faced the heartbreak of watching both sites desecrated multiple times. After replacing her mother's stolen cross in late 2021, she was stunned to discover that her daughter's grave was also targeted. "This is my child's grave—my fourth child," she lamented, indicating the damage to the cross meant to honor her daughter.
The spate of thefts is fueled by the soaring demand for scrap metal in Tanzania. Those responsible seem heedless of the ethical implications tied to robbing sacred burial sites, often earning a meager sum of about 700 to 870 Tanzanian shillings per kilogram of stolen metal—enough to buy a simple meal or local beverage. Thieves frequently sell stolen crosses to scrap dealers, who may not always ask questions regarding their origins.
Augustine Remmy, Pudensiana's brother, spoke of the painful impact these crimes have on the community. "This is too bad... when these areas that deserve respect are subjected to such bad acts, it truly hurts a lot," he said. This disturbing trend reflects desperation and economic hardship, with young men even demanding payment to guard graves overnight to deter thieves.
Scrap metal dealers face pressure as well, balancing the choice between purchasing cheaper stolen goods or adhering to the law. One anonymous dealer explained the process of cutting the crosses before selling them, while another, Izire Ramadhani, recounted a previous encounter where they reported a thief to authorities, leading to a prison sentence that momentarily curbed the thefts.
Morogoro's health officer, Dr. Ndimile Kilatu, acknowledged the city's plan to upgrade cemetery security through fencing and guard services—all contingent on available resources. Initiatives to educate scrap metal dealers on illegal materials are also being explored. The government has reiterated its commitment to regulating the scrap metal industry to curb the issues stemming from these crimes.
Religious leaders are advocating for renewed community efforts to foster respect for sacred graves and discourage criminal activity. Pastor Steven Msigara from the Jesus Assemblies of God emphasizes the need to educate youth about the importance of honoring these spaces.
As families like Pudensiana's continue to seek justice and restoration for their loved ones’ resting places, the call for better security and community action remains urgent. Pudensiana is now considering a second concrete cross for her mother's grave, hoping to find a way to protect her family's memories from further desecration.
In the eastern Tanzanian city of Morogoro, a distressing trend of grave robbing has emerged, leaving families heartbroken and cemeteries disfigured. Across Kola Municipal Cemetery, thieves have vandalized more than 250 graves, targeting metal crucifixes and other grave markers in a quest for scrap. The crimes typically occur under the cover of darkness, when there are no workers or security personnel present.
Pudensiana Chumbi, who has visited her daughter's and mother's graves for over twenty years, has faced the heartbreak of watching both sites desecrated multiple times. After replacing her mother's stolen cross in late 2021, she was stunned to discover that her daughter's grave was also targeted. "This is my child's grave—my fourth child," she lamented, indicating the damage to the cross meant to honor her daughter.
The spate of thefts is fueled by the soaring demand for scrap metal in Tanzania. Those responsible seem heedless of the ethical implications tied to robbing sacred burial sites, often earning a meager sum of about 700 to 870 Tanzanian shillings per kilogram of stolen metal—enough to buy a simple meal or local beverage. Thieves frequently sell stolen crosses to scrap dealers, who may not always ask questions regarding their origins.
Augustine Remmy, Pudensiana's brother, spoke of the painful impact these crimes have on the community. "This is too bad... when these areas that deserve respect are subjected to such bad acts, it truly hurts a lot," he said. This disturbing trend reflects desperation and economic hardship, with young men even demanding payment to guard graves overnight to deter thieves.
Scrap metal dealers face pressure as well, balancing the choice between purchasing cheaper stolen goods or adhering to the law. One anonymous dealer explained the process of cutting the crosses before selling them, while another, Izire Ramadhani, recounted a previous encounter where they reported a thief to authorities, leading to a prison sentence that momentarily curbed the thefts.
Morogoro's health officer, Dr. Ndimile Kilatu, acknowledged the city's plan to upgrade cemetery security through fencing and guard services—all contingent on available resources. Initiatives to educate scrap metal dealers on illegal materials are also being explored. The government has reiterated its commitment to regulating the scrap metal industry to curb the issues stemming from these crimes.
Religious leaders are advocating for renewed community efforts to foster respect for sacred graves and discourage criminal activity. Pastor Steven Msigara from the Jesus Assemblies of God emphasizes the need to educate youth about the importance of honoring these spaces.
As families like Pudensiana's continue to seek justice and restoration for their loved ones’ resting places, the call for better security and community action remains urgent. Pudensiana is now considering a second concrete cross for her mother's grave, hoping to find a way to protect her family's memories from further desecration.
