Zimbabwean Chief Orders Mugabe’s Reburial

Harare- A traditional chief has ordered the reburial of former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.

Chief Zvimba says Mugabe was laid to rest in violation of burial cultural norms and values. The Mugabe family is however fuming over the latest developments saying they will not tolerate the Chief’s order.

In a letter written by Chief Zvimba, whose agents delivered it to Mrs. Mugabe’s residence, the chief fined her five cattle and a goat for burying the late former President Robert Mugabe at his homestead instead of the family’s cemetery in Kutama village.

The Chief ordered the exhumation of Mugabe’s remains for reburial at the National heroes Acre on July 1 2021.

The late president’s nephew, Leo Mugabe, has fired back saying they will fight the case to the bitter end.

“It’s a ruling against a widow and the widow has nothing to do with the burying of her husband … This judgment is irrelevant, if you were to ask me, because in any case, Chief Zvimba does not preside over cases here.” said Leo Mugabe

Mugabe died 0n September 6 2019 at a Singaporean Hospital and was buried at his rural home about 90km (55 miles) west of the capital Harare three weeks after his demise.

At the time, the Government had wanted the body to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare and a mausoleum for the former president was being constructed at the site, which is reserved for heroes of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

But Mugabe’s family said he had wanted to be buried at his rural home, close to his late mother Bona.

No senior government officials attended a pre-burial service at Kutama and was attended by hundreds of mourners.

Chief Zvimba had summoned Mugabe’s widow, Grace before a traditional court but she could not attend as she was said to be receiving medical treatment in Singapore.

Experts say the latest issue surrounding the late president’s burial was more of a political issue than what is being portrayed by the Chief.