The Forgotten Life and Death of Tsano: A Reflection on Pauper Burials in Zimbabwe

By Catherine Murombedzi

A Life Marked by Loss and Hardship

Tsano’s story is one of resilience and determination, but also of profound loss and hardship. He lived in the Mt Hampden farming and brick making community. He was known for his honesty and availability to run errands. Tsano took on small jobs in the Fairview community, earning a nominal fee for his work. Despite his struggles, he remained a pillar of strength, always striving to make ends meet.

A Family Torn Apart

Tsano’s life was marked by a series of devastating losses. While weeding our garden one day, he opened up and spoke of his daughters, who had married and started families of their own, tragically died from AIDS-related illnesses in the early 2000s. His wife had left him in 1988, and he was left to care for their children alone. Despite these challenges, Tsano persevered, always looking for ways to provide for himself. Once in a while, he would travel to Dotito, Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central Province where his late brother’s son lived in the rural area. That was all he spoke of in admiration.

A Lonely Death

Tsano’s death was a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced by many in Zimbabwe. He passed away alone in his wooden house, with no family members to care for him. The lady next door, who had been kind enough to bring him food and tea, discovered his body and alerted the community. In turn, Tsano’s neighbours alerted the authorities. From his phone, his only known relative was informed. Maybe, due to hardships, he denied being a close relative to Tsano. Thus the family search was closed.

A Pauper’s Burial

Tsano’s body lay in the Parirenyatwa Hospital Mortuary for months, awaiting a pauper’s burial. The state-funded burial was a stark illustration of the challenges faced by those who pass away without the financial means or family support to afford a dignified funeral. The bureaucratic delays and extended periods of time spent in mortuaries are a common occurrence in Zimbabwe.

A Reflection on Pauper Burials

Tsano’s story is a powerful testament to the human spirit, but it also highlights the urgent need for a more compassionate and supportive society. The lack of a comprehensive social safety net in Zimbabwe exacerbates the issue, leaving many, like Tsano, to fend for themselves without the support of family or community. Tsano could have been accommodated in an old people’s home. He was a senior citizen ranging in the late seventies.

A Mirror to Many More

Tsano’s story is not an isolated incident. It mirrors the lives of many more homeless people in Zimbabwe who face similar struggles and demise. The streets of Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare, and other urban centers are filled with individuals who have been forced to the margins of society. They struggle to survive, often going without basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare. When they pass away, they are often subjected to pauper’s burials, their lives and deaths marked by poverty, neglect, and abandonment.

A Glimmer of Hope

However, in some farming communities, closed mining areas, a sense of solidarity and compassion still exists. When a community member passes away, even if they are not family, the community comes together to provide a dignified burial. A homemade coffin is crafted, and the community rallies around the deceased’s home to provide support and comfort. This sense of community and shared responsibility is a beacon of hope in a society where many are struggling to survive.

A Call to Action

As we reflect on Tsano’s life and death, we are reminded of the importance of creating a system that provides adequate care and protection for all citizens, regardless of their economic or social status. We must work towards building a more just and equitable society, one that values the dignity and worth of every human life. We owe it to Tsano and the countless others like him to do better.
Pauper burials in Zimbabwe are conducted by the state for unclaimed bodies, often due to relatives being unable to afford hospital bills or burial costs. In cases where bodies remain unclaimed, hospitals like Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals issue notices calling on relatives to claim the bodies within a specified timeframe, typically 21 days. If the bodies remain unclaimed, the state takes responsibility for the burials.

The State’s Role

The state provides a basic burial service. This can be in single body coffins. At times, unknown can be buried in a mass grave. An unwritten epitaph: Here sleep 40 unknown bodies. What is happening to the I am, because, we are, social fabric?
Hospitals and the state work together to manage the burial process, but resources are often limited.

Challenges and Concerns:

The lack of resources and funding for pauper burials means that the deceased are often buried in undignified circumstances. No one really knows if Tsano was buried or is still awaiting the next pauper burial batch. It’s inhuman to speak of people as batches, failing to find a proper word.

Relatives may be unable to afford the costs associated with claiming and burying their loved ones, leading to a rise in unclaimed bodies. For example, Parirenyatwa Hospital last had an advert for 46 unclaimed bodies. Of these 20 were known and had names. The rest were unknown. How did we get to this stage where a person is unknown?
If the bodies remain unclaimed, the state will conduct pauper’s burials, a simple funeral paid for by the local council.

Some of the deceased died in road traffic accidents, while others were found dead in various locations. The hospital’s mortuary facilities are overwhelmed, and they always urge relatives to come forward and claim the bodies to give them a dignified burial.
All hospitals in Zimbabwe have experienced this sad scenario.

Social Security Net:

While the state provides some support for pauper burials, there is no comprehensive social security net to ensure that all citizens have access to dignified burial services.
Efforts to address poverty and inequality are crucial in reducing the number of pauper burials and ensuring that all individuals receive a dignified send-off.
● *Feedback: cathymwauyakufa@gmail.com*