GOVERNMENT has given in to the whims by the Mugabe family to have the former president Robert Mugabe buried at his rural home in Zvimba.
In a statement, secretary for the Ministry of Information Broadcasting and Publicity, Nick Mangwana said the Mugabe family had expressed desire to have the former leader buried in Kutama, Zvimba.
Regardless of the family’s sudden change of heart, government pledged its support to the family for the final proceedings.
“The family of the late former President Robert Mugabe has expressed a desire to proceed with his burial in Zvimba. In line with government policy to respect the wishes of families of the deceased heroes, government is cooperating with the Mugabe family in their new position.
“Government will render all the necessary support to give the late former president a fitting burial as led by the family,” reads the statement.
Sources however told Zim Morning Post that the remains of Mugabe were no longer worthy keeping at Blue Roof as they were decomposing everyday regardless of going through embalmment in Singapore.
Mugabe’s burial is expected on Sunday.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared Mugabe a national hero in honour of his contribution to the liberation struggle and his role as a founding father.
Mugabe died on September 6 at age 95 on one of his numerous medical trips in Singapore, leaving Zimbabweans torn over his legacy .
Mugabe’s burial has been riddled with conflict as Zvimba Chiefs wanting him buried at his rural homestead in Zvimba and while government pushed for the body to rest at the national monument in the capital.
Reports claim that Grace Mugabe had clashed with government officials in the morning as she was trying to ‘smuggle’ the body of the late national hero and former president to Zvimba for burial while Mnangagwa is away in New York.