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 said 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 said this was “unacceptable”, adding that “it disrespects the dignity of the deceased [and] disturbs other grieving families”.

It also reminded residents that leaving litter or waste behind at the cemetery was a criminal offence and said there would be “strict monitoring and enforcement” to preserve burial sites.

“Cemeteries are sacred spaces reserved only for burials and remembrance of the deceased,” it said.

“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 circulated showing him firing off shots during a funeral held there.

The same funeral also saw cars being spun in a parking area near the burial site, local news site The Namibian reported at the time.