Headline: Thieves Desecrate Graves in Tanzania by Stealing Crosses for Scrap Metal
Within the quiet confines of a cemetery in Morogoro, an eastern Tanzanian city, a disturbing trend of grave desecration has been on the rise. Numerous graves have been vandalized, with metal crucifixes stolen or damaged by thieves intending to sell the metal for scrap. In a particular section of Kola Municipal Cemetery, over 250 graves have been targeted.
Most of these crimes occur under the cover of darkness, when security personnel and cemetery workers are absent. This has resulted in immense grief for affected families, and the sacred resting places of their loved ones have been desecrated, leading to widespread outrage.
Pudensiana Chumbi, who has been visiting the graves of her daughter and mother on a monthly basis for over two decades, has seen both graves desecrated multiple times in recent years. Initially, her mother's grave was targeted. After saving up to replace the stolen cross, her daughter's grave was vandalized. Before Chumbi could decide on repairing her daughter's cross, the newly installed cross on her mother's grave was stolen again. Choosing a concrete cross instead of metal to replace her daughter's cross, Chumbi expressed her devastation.
The theft of crosses and grave markers has become increasingly common in Tanzania, driven by the growing demand for scrap metal. Some young men have even started demanding payment for guarding graves overnight, especially those decorated with tiles, which can also be sold for home decor.
Augustine Remmy, Chumbi's brother, expressed his distress over the situation, stating that the desecration of these sacred spaces greatly pains the community. The rampant thefts reveal a desperate attempt to make money, even at the cost of violating sacred sites. The thieves make a small profit from the stolen metal, enough to afford a meal or local alcohol.
The scrap metal market often purchases the stolen goods without asking questions. A man, who wished to remain anonymous, confessed to stealing crosses from the cemetery and explained the process. The stolen crosses are first taken to welders who cut them into pieces, which are then sold to scrap dealers.
Izire Ramadhani, a scrap dealer in Morogoro, shared an instance from 2023 when he and other merchants caught a man trying to sell a stolen cross and reported him to the police. He was subsequently sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. This led to a temporary decrease in cross thefts, although there has been a recent surge.
The thieves have now diversified their targets, stealing other grave markers like tiles and marble decorations. Morogoro's health officer, Dr. Ndimile Kilatu, acknowledged the issue and announced plans to enhance cemetery security by installing fences and hiring guards. However, he cautioned that these upgrades would require resources and time.
The Tanzanian government has also pledged to regulate the scrap metal industry. Deputy Prime Minister Dotto Biteko stressed the importance of licensed businesses complying with laws and regulations and promised ongoing education for the public on the subject.
Religious leaders are encouraging their communities to take action to prevent these crimes. Pastor Steven Msigara from the Jesus Assembles of God in Morogoro urged collective effort to educate young people about respecting sacred places.
For relatives of those whose graves have been desecrated, the situation is incredibly frustrating. Chumbi is advocating for increased security funding for cemeteries, a commitment to maintain these sites with due respect, and a second replacement of her mother's cross, this time opting for concrete just like her daughter's.