Namibian warned against holding parties in the graves after a “shameful” event

The Namibia authorities have warned people not to hold parties in the graves after a social gathering in a cemetery in the capital, Winduk, anger at the end of last week.

According to Windhoe’s officials, the event in the Gammams Cemetery showed “the arrangements for sitting, cold boxes and alcohol” is fully displayed.

“Nothing is less than the disgrace.”

In a Facebook post, I described the scene that met the mourners entering the graves, saying, “From the entrance all the way, the car shoes were open, and people were drinking, and the cemetery was similar to Shebeen instead of the place of rest.”

She also said that the cemetery was left in a prominent condition, as she left bottles and cans.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Windhoek said that this is “unacceptable”, adding that “he does not respect the dignity of the deceased (and) other sad families.”

The residents also mentioned that leaving garbage or waste in the cemetery was a criminal crime and said that there would be “strict monitoring and enforcement” to preserve the burial sites.

“The graves are sacred areas only for burial and the deceased,” she said.

“Social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and garbage inside the cemetery lands are strictly prohibited.”

This is not the first time that Gammams has released newspaper headlines. In 2021, a man was arrested after a video clip showing him shooting at a funeral took place there.

The same funeral also witnessed that cars are woven in the parking area near the burial site, according to the local Namibian website at the time.