A retired police officer from the Kilimanjaro region has caught public attention after taking an unusual step to prepare for his future by constructing a lavish grave and purchasing a high-end coffin.
The officer, identified as Mr. Sabasita, took two years to build a personalized burial site just outside his homestead. The grave is enclosed within a stone wall and decorated with personal photographs — including pictures of himself in uniform and portraits of Tanzanian presidents.
He also mounted a banner on the wall outlining the ranks he held during his career in the police service.
According to Mr. Sabasita, the motivation behind this move was not driven by eccentricity but rather a desire to plan ahead and reduce the burden on his family when the time comes.
“I am doing this while I am still healthy and able. I witnessed the struggles we went through when my parents passed on in 1995. I don’t want my family to face the same challenges,” he said.
So far, he has spent nearly TSh7 million on the grave and expects to spend an additional TSh3 million on the custom-made coffin.
Mr. Sabasita emphasized that this is part of his personal planning and added that his will is also being drafted by legal experts to ensure everything is in order.
He noted that death is inevitable, and planning ahead can ease emotional and financial strain on loved ones.
