Alaska ward development committee chairperson, Joy Mafiro, said the mortuary ceased to function many years ago after Alaska mine collapsed.
He said some relatives were forced to bury their loved ones without following proper procedures as they feared the bodies would decompose.
“The mine used to maintain the facilities but since its closure things have turned upside down. Government has not been able to assist us. Many people are unemployed and poor and they can`t afford to hire transport to Chinhoyi mortuary because transporters charge more than $150 per trip,” said Mafiro.
He also said there was no maternity ward at the local mine hospital.
“Pregnant women are finding it difficult when they want to go to labour because of the non availability of proper health facilities,” he said.
In addition, the pump that used to supply water to the compound has broken down long back and people have gone for years without access to clean water.
“We have gone for three years without any water coming out of taps because our pump is old. People are accessing from the old mine shafts and they risk drowning and contracting diseases,” he said.
Post published in: News