Namibia's authorities have warned people not to hold parties at cemeteries after a social gathering at a gravesite in the capital, Windhoek, sparked outrage last weekend.
According to City of Windhoek officials, the event at Gammams cemetery showed seating arrangements, cooler boxes and alcohol on full display.
One Windhoek resident who witnessed the party described it as nothing short of disgraceful. In a Facebook post, she depicted a scene where mourners encountered open car boots filled with drinks, stating that the cemetery resembled a shebeen rather than a sacred place of rest.
She also noted the cemetery was left in disarray, with bottles and cans scattered around.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the City of Windhoek condemned the behavior as unacceptable, asserting that it disrespects the dignity of the deceased and disturbs other grieving families.
Officials reminded residents that littering at the cemetery is a criminal offense and that there would be strict monitoring and enforcement to preserve burial sites.
Cemeteries are sacred spaces reserved only for burials and remembrance of the deceased, stated the authorities. Social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and littering within cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited.
This situation is not unprecedented; Gammams cemetery previously made headlines in 2021 when a man was arrested for discharging a firearm during a funeral held at the site.
