Namibia’s authorities have issued a warning against hosting parties in cemeteries following a recent gathering at Gammams cemetery in Windhoek, which drew criticism from residents. Officials from the City of Windhoek reported that the event involved visible seating arrangements, cooler boxes, and alcohol.
A local witness described the atmosphere, noting that mourners were met with an environment where car trunks were open and people were drinking, which contributed to a perception that the cemetery was being treated disrespectfully. She also highlighted that the area was left in poor condition, with bottles and cans scattered about after the event.
In a formal statement, the City of Windhoek deemed such activities as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that they disrespect the dignity of the deceased and disturb other grieving families. The authorities reminded the community that leaving litter in cemeteries constitutes a criminal offense and announced plans for “strict monitoring and enforcement” to protect these burial grounds. They asserted that cemeteries are sacred spaces intended solely for interments and remembrance, prohibiting social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and littering on the premises.
The Gammams cemetery has been in the spotlight before; in 2021, a man was arrested there after a video depicted someone firing a weapon during a funeral. It was also reported that vehicles were being spun in a nearby parking area during the same incident.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx27p7ked9yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss