Uncertainty over burial site for Mugabe in Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE’S president and the family of former president Robert Mugabe have been holding discussions to decide where the deceased leader will be buried.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he will consult with the ex-president’s widow, Grace, and other family members over the controversial issue of the burial place.

“We have no idea where we will bury him yet,” said Mr Mnangagwa at the Mugabe family home.

“We need to talk to Amai (Mrs Mugabe) and the family first.”

Mr Mnangagwa said he has asked for “a one-on-one” meeting with Grace “to discuss some issues”.

“We had let bygones be bygones. You (Mrs Mugabe) have the full support of the government. Nothing will change,” said Mr Mnangagwa, adding that his government will respect the family’s wishes.

Mr Mnangagwa spoke from inside the mansion and his comments were broadcast to press outside the house. He and the family then began private talks.

The ongoing uncertainty of where Mr Mugabe, who died last week at the age of 95, will be buried has overshadowed the arrangements for Zimbabweans to pay their respects to the former guerrilla leader at several historic sites.

The dispute over the burial has sparked speculation of a bitter disagreement between the government and Mr Mugabe’s wife and other family members.

The government earlier stated that Mr Mugabe would be buried at the Heroes’ Acre state monument, a burial place reserved for top officials of Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party who contributed to ending white colonial rule.

But some family members said he should be buried at his birthplace, according to Zimbabwean tradition.

It had long been expected that Mr Mugabe would be buried at the Heroes’ Acre site, a burial location on top of a prominent hill featuring a sculpture of guerrilla fighters that Mr Mugabe built with help from North Korea. Mr Mugabe’s first wife, Sally, is buried there next to a gravesite long reserved for the ex-leader.