Mugabe to be buried Sunday, State funeral service on Saturday

Former President Robert Mugabe will be buried on Sunday but his state funeral service will be held at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

The ministry did not say where Mugabe will be buried but all indications are that he will be buried at the national Heroes Acre.

There have been reports that Mugabe refused to be buried at the national shrine especially by the very people that removed him from power.

His first wife Sally and his sister Sabina, mother of his nephews Leo Mugabe and Patrick Zhuwawo, are both buried at the national Heroes’ Acre.

Director-General of the Zimbabwe intelligence service Isaac Moyo told the state media that Mugabe and his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa had reconciled and were expected to meet soon after Mugabe’s return to the country.

Mugabe was supposed to return this month but died on Friday morning.

Leo Mugabe said Mugabe had died a bitter man but he was not aware where reports that Mugabe had refused to be buried at Heroes Acre had emanated from.

“I do not know where that originated from. It did not originate from the family. But I am not saying he will be buried at the Heroes Acre,” Leo Mugabe said.

The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to all diplomatic missions also seems to be confusing as it says heads of state or government wishing to attend the funeral on Saturday must arrive in Harare on Friday, 13 September.

“Heads of State/Government are expected to depart immediately after the ceremony taking into consideration that Government authorities will be fully occupied with preparations for the burial service/ceremony reserved for Sunday 15 September 2019,” the statement says.

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