Latest reports suggest Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe will be buried at a national shrine in Harare on Sunday, the Mugabe family spokesman said on Friday, as the feud over the funeral between the family and the government appears to have been resolved, reported Reuters.
On Thursday, the family had said that the former Zimbabwe president would be buried in his home town in a private ceremony. But, today, it’s finally confirmed that Mugabe will be buried at the National Heroes Acre and not in his home village of Kutama.
“I can confirm that he will be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday,” family spokesman Leo Mugabe said on Friday.
He added that an official ceremony would be followed by a private family event at the monument to heroes of the liberation war against white minority rule.
The family was previously shocked as the government did not consult them before making the announcement about the funeral arrangements.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa had declared Mr. Mugabe a national hero after his death, indicating he should be buried at the national monument.
Mr. Mugabe’s family is said to be bitter over him being ousted by his former ally Mr. Mnangagwa two years ago.
Mugabe’s body was flown back from Singapore on Wednesday. The deceased has been lying in state in Harare at the Rufaro football stadium in the capital since Thursday after the government announced three days of national mourning.
Some foreign dignitaries are expected to arrive in Harare on Friday ahead of a state funeral planned at the country’s National Sports Stadium on Saturday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta are some of the Heads of state who are expected to attend the funeral.
