PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Government has granted
former President and national hero Cde Robert Mugabe his death-bed wish for his
remains to be interred at his rural home in Kutama, Zvimba, Mashonaland West
Province.
The former President was yesterday interred at his rural
home in a “specially constructed site” in the courtyard of his first wife,
Sally’s house. The burial was conducted in accordance to Roman Catholic rites,
which were presided by Father Paul Tigere of Marymount Parish. Family members and
a handful of villagers related to the Mugabes attended the event, where
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mrs Mary
Mliswa-Chikoka was the only notable Government figure.
Former President Mugabe died of advanced prostate cancer in
Singapore on September 6. He was 95. The Mugabe family expressed gratitude to
President Mnangagwa for allowing them to bury the late national hero at his
rural home. In his vote of thanks, family spokesperson Mr Walter Chidhakwa
outlined the support the former President had received from President Mnangagwa
and his Government, during his illness.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa and Government. The
journey that we have travelled with the late Cde Mugabe has not been easy. It
was full of pain. Amai (Mugabe) used to say she wants to take baba for medical
check-ups in Singapore and we would approach President Mnangagwa. In no time he
would assist us with travel arrangements before we return. But in the last
visit, baba did not return as his condition deteriorated, leading to his death.
President Mnangagwa sent a plane together with Vice-President (Kembo Mohadi)
and he received us at the airport.”
Added Mr Chidhakwa: “The President then assisted us with
transport, food and other logistics before conferring baba a national hero. We
thank President Mnangagwa because since the death of baba, he said he will let
the family decide on the funeral and burial arrangements. But it is not the
family that decided, VaMugabe is the one who said he wanted to be buried here
at his home. We simply followed his wish and we are happy President Mnangagwa
has also granted him that wish.”
Mr Chidhakwa dispelled speculation there was bad blood
between the former first family and Government. He said as a family, they were
not going against the ideals of Zanu-PF and Government. Mr Chidhakwa added that
the family was thankful for the military that had acted professionally in
handling the former President’s body.
“The military has made us proud. They are the ones that
have been carrying the casket from day one up to today. They have made us proud
with the dedication, professionalism and honour they have given to Cde Mugabe.”
Speaking at the same event, former First Lady Grace’s
sister, Ms Shuvai Gumbochuma, said the family had respected Cde Mugabe’s wish.
“When I look at the low numbers here I say to myself, we had hoped that we bury
baba like other national heroes. But what we have done is to respect his wish.
He said he did not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre. Even if it
shows as if there are a few people here, we are happy that we have respected
baba’s wish.”
Ms Gumbochuma also praised the late national hero as a
champion of economic empowerment, adding that the legacy he left after the land
reform programme could never be erased. He said many beneficiaries of the land
reform took pride that they have an asset they can pass to their children. In
his homily, Father Tigere said the former President lived a worthy life.
“Let us celebrate a life that was lived worthily. Go well,
we will always remember you for the legacy you left us. The late had his
failures, but we should also understand we are human beings and also have areas
that we fall short.” The burial was also attended by former war veterans’
leader Jabulani Sibanda and National Constitution Assembly leader Professor
Lovemore Madhuku. Sunday Mail
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