BUSINESSMAN John Rukodzi says he has lost about US$87,000 in potential business which has been affected by the controversy surrounding his Rukodzi Perish Cemetery along Seke Road.
BUSINESSMAN John Rukodzi says he has lost about US$87,000 in potential business which has been affected by the controversy surrounding his Rukodzi Perish Cemetery along Seke Road.
Rukodzi said his cemetery was not an ILLEGAL set-up and it has the right to accept payments for burial services just like other cemeteries around the country.
He said before the controversy erupted, two years ago, his company was selling an average of five graves a day at US$80 per grave at the cemetery which is located opposite the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.calculate 80 x 365 for a year, it amounts up to US$29,200 and up to the present day, the loss is US$29,200 x 3 = US$87,600 for losses.
“Imagine Rokodzi Perish is a company registered under the laws of Zimbabwe.”
Two years ago, Rukodzi was arrested and dragged to court for allegedly operating an illegal cemetery opposite the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. sRukodzi and his team clashed with the owners of Zororo Memorial Park.
The row started when Rukodzi Perish Cemetery sold more than 50 graves, at US$80 each, and the case spilled into the courts. Rukodzi was arrested for allegedly using burial orders and issuing receipts in the name of a legitimate cemetery company, Zororo Memorial Park.
The businessman said his cemetery was approved by authorities.
“The Retreat Estate cemetery started in 1910 under a white farmer. I was then later appointed (to run) the cemetery. I’m not the one who set up the cemetery but the white farmer.I have attached the approval documents of regularisation of the cemetery. The cemetery was not stopped by the High Court. The businessman attached documents to show that the cemetery was operating above board. One of the documents is a Certificate of Incorporation dated March 16, 2022, which was issued by the Registrar of Companies.
The other document shows that he was given the mandate to run the cemetery by one Emmanuel Chigodora of Retreat Farm, Eyerstone Farm, Waterfalls, Harare.
