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 said it was nothing short of disgraceful. In a Facebook post, she described the scene that met mourners entering the gravesite, saying from the entrance all the way inside, car boots were open, people were drinking, and the cemetery resembled a shebeen rather than a place of rest.
She also noted the cemetery was left in a pitiful condition, with bottles and cans left lying around.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the City of Windhoek deemed the behavior unacceptable, stressing that it disrespects the dignity of the deceased [and] disturbs other grieving families.
The authorities reminded residents that leaving litter or waste behind at the cemetery constitutes a criminal offense and assured strict monitoring to preserve burial sites.
Cemeteries are sacred spaces reserved only for burials and remembrance of the deceased, they stated, emphasizing that social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and littering within cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited.
This is not the first time Gammams has made headlines; in 2021, a man was arrested after a video showed him firing shots during a funeral held at the site.
