A Zimbabwean traditional leader has ordered the exhumation and reburial of Robert Mugabe's remains at the national shrine, sparking a row between the family and the government over the former strongman final resting place.
Chief Zvimba accused the former First Lady Grace Mugabe of violating the traditional customs by choosing to inter her husband at their family home.
According to Mugabe's family, the former ruler who died in 2019, two years after his ouster in a military coup had wished that he be buried at his home and not at the Heroe's Acre in Harare citing his fallout with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In his Monday ruling, Chief Zvimba found Ms Mugabe guilty of breaking traditional norms by burying her husband in the courtyard of his home.
" I gave powers to those who are permitted by law to exhume the late Robert Mugabe’s remains from Kutama and rebury them at the National Heroes Acre in Har, r, , ” read part of the chief’s ruling.
“The father of the deceased, who is Chief Chidziva, and the mother of the deceased, who is Chief Gutu, have all agreed that he be buried at the National Heroes Acre,” he added.
Mugabe's family has over disputed the ruling arguing that the chief had no jurisdiction accusing him of colluding with the government in an attempt of disrespecting the wishes of the late President.
" The chief and the government are the ones who were pushing for the Heroes Acre and the immediate family says no we must follow the late President's wish, " the late President nephew Leo Mugabe said.
Grace Mugabe however failed to show up for the case hearing with close sources saying she is receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment in Singapore.
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