Heroes Acre burial for Mugabe- family

Harare(New Ziana) – The late former President Robert Mugabe will be buried at the National Heroes Acre at the weekend, his nephew and family spokesman Leo Mugabe said on Friday.

The confirmation ends speculation which had gripped the country about his burial place since his death last Friday in Singapore where he was receiving medical treatment.

The uncertainty had been fueled by reports that the former leader had told his family in his last days that he wanted to be buried at his rural home in Zvimba, next to his mother.

Leo Mugabe told New Ziana in an interview that the family had decided that the former President be interred at the Heroes Acre where most prominent people in the country’s war of independence are buried.

Former President Mugabe was one of the leaders in the war in the 1970s, and was elected the country’s first black prime minister at independence in 1980.

“I can confirm that the family has pronounced that he will be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday. What is going to happen is that all the honours like the 21- gun salute will be done publicly, then we have a private function afterwards,” Leo Mugabe said.

On Thursday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said government would respect whatever choice the Mugabe family would eventually make regarding where the former President is buried.

This followed consultations on the issue between him and the former President’s widow, Grace.

A formal funeral service will be held on Saturday at the National Sports Stadium, expected to be attended by 11 heads of state and government from the region.

About eight other former African leaders have also confirmed their attendance.

Former President Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years until his resignation in 2017, and died at the age of 95.

New Ziana