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Zimbabwe 'settles row' over Mugabe burial site

By Mutala Yakubu
Mr Mugabe's casket arrives at the Blue Roof, his residence in Borrowdale, Harare
Mr Mugabe's casket arrives at the Blue Roof, his residence in Borrowdale, Harare
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Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe will be buried in the National Heroes Acre monument in Harare, his family says, following a row with the government over his final resting site.

Family spokesman and nephew Leo Mugabe says the date is yet to be determined.

Before that there will be a public ceremony at the state cemetery in Harare on Sunday, followed by a ceremony at Mr Mugabe's home village.

READ ALSO: Robert Mugabe's family unaware of funeral plans

Mr Mugabe, who was 95, died last week while being treated in Singapore.

His body is now lying in state at the Rufaro football stadium in the capital.

What did Mugabe's family say?
Leo Mugabe told the BBC on Friday that there would be a public ceremony in Harare on Sunday.

He said Robert Mugabe's body would then return to his home village of Kutama, where clan chiefs and the family would be allowed to perform their own ceremonies.

Only at a later date - another Sunday as yet to be determined - would be finally buried at the National Heroes Acre monument in Harare, Leo Mugabe added.

However, it is unclear whether all family members agree with Leo Mugabe.

The family had earlier expressed shock at not having been consulted by the government 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.

Mr Mugabe fired Mr Mnangagwa in 2017, in what many believed was a way to prepare for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him.

READ ALSO:  Robert Mugabe granted national hero status and official mourning

Source: BBC

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