Namibians warned against holding parties at cemeteries after 'disgraceful' event

Namibia's authorities have warned people not to hold parties at cemeteries after a social gathering at a gravesite in the capital, Windhoek, sparked outrage last weekend.
According to City of Windhoek officials, the event at Gammams cemetery "showed seating arrangements, cooler boxes and alcohol" on full display.
One Windhoek resident who witnessed the party said it was "nothing short of disgraceful".
In a Facebook post, she described the scene that met mourners entering the gravesite, saying "from the entrance all the way inside, car boots were open, people were drinking, and the cemetery resembled a shebeen rather than a place of rest".
She also said the cemetery was left in a pitiful condition, with bottles and cans left lying around.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the City of Windhoek said this was "unacceptable", adding that "it disrespects the dignity of the deceased [and] disturbs other grieving families".
It also reminded residents that leaving litter or waste behind at the cemetery was a criminal offence and said there would be "strict monitoring and enforcement" to preserve burial sites.
"Cemeteries are sacred spaces reserved only for burials and remembrance of the deceased," it said.
"Social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and littering within cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited."
This is not the first time Gammams has made headlines. In 2021 a man was arrested after a video circulated showing him firing off shots during a funeral held there.
The same funeral also saw cars being spun in a parking area near the burial site, local news site The Namibian reported at the time.
Source: bbc.com
Trending News
“There is absolutely nothing KGL can hide from the NLA, GRA, BoG, NCA, or the telecos''-Razak Kojo Opoku to Fourth Estate
09:46IGP Yohuno meets NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, advances landmark U.S.–Ghana policing cooperation
08:12Court dismisses charges against NDC’s Ashie-Moore over procedural errors
19:36C/R: Residents of Tweapease halt DCE’s tour, demand immediate fixing of deplorable Assin Tweapease–Breku road
15:06Daddy Lumba’s widowhood dispute: Court adjourns case to October 28
14:55Ghana records 26 new Mpox cases , total now 713
12:17GES warns schools against unauthorised PTA levies
09:31A/R: IGP deploys special investigations team to assist ongoing investigation into death of Senegalese in Ksi
21:49President Mahama to launch Africa’s largest industrial park
17:59Gov't partners TikTok to boost Ghana’s creative economy
14:27