Chief Zvimba apologises to ED President Mnangagwa

Joseph Madzimure, Harare Bureau

CHIEF Zvimba has apologised to President Mnangagwa over inconsistencies in the burial arrangements of the country’s late founding father former President Mugabe, who was laid to rest at his rural home in Zvimba on Saturday.

In an interview, Chief Zvimba’s spokesperson Gibson Jenami said the new arrangement came as a shock to them since it was made by the family.

“Since the death of the late former President Mugabe, chiefs were at the forefront of working with the bereaved family and the Government on burial arrangements,” he said. 

“It was traditional leaders and the family who requested the Government to prepare the place where he was supposed to be buried. After we had agreed, we went to the national shrine to identify the burial place, together with Chatunga and Tino. Everyone was satisfied with the burial place.

“Let me make it clear that President Mnangagwa never forced anyone to bury the former President’s body at the National Heroes’ Acre. He urged them to find a place of their choice to bury him. Zvimba chiefs, Chatunga and Tino Mugabe were at the forefront and settled for the hill top at the national shrine.

He added: “The problem emanated last Friday when we learnt that Mrs Mugabe wanted the remains of her late husband to be interred at their Blue Roof residence but the idea was shot down.

“I want President Mnangagwa to know that in any family there are disputes and he must find it in his heart to forgive them. 

“We are ashamed and we are deeply sorry for the loss that the Government incurred. Sorry for the inconveniences caused by the family. There were rumours that President Mnangagwa even bribed Zvimba chiefs but nothing of that sort ever happened. I am pleading with the President to continue being the good man he has always been.”

He said the national shrine was the most appropriate place for the burial of the former President.

“The chiefs had settled for the National Heroes’ Acre, since the former President spent most of his life as a nationalist,” he said.

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