Two years after late President Robert Mugabe was buried at his rural home in Zvimba in a heavily reinforced grave, the government of Zimbabwe is going ahead, with the construction of a mausoleum for the late Mugabe.
Mugabe’s family stopped the government from burying him at the Heroes’ Acre, saying the Mugabe will rather not be buried at the shrine.
Chief Zvimba’s court in May 2021 ruled that Mugabe’s remains had to be exhumed after charging former first lady Grace Mugabe with violating traditional norms by burying her husband at their homestead.
Members of Mugabe’s family say resumption in the construction of the mausoleum shows that the government influenced Chief Zvimba to order a reburial of the late veteran leader.
Mugabe’s children, Bona, Bellarmine Chatunga and Tinotenda Robert (Jnr) in June appealed against Chief Zvimba’s ruling, saying he acted outside his jurisdiction.
One of Mugabe’s relatives, who prefers to remain anonymous believes the government was eager to see Mugabe’s remains exhumed and reburied at the National Heroes Acre. Allegations which President Emmerson Mnangagwa has denied.
“The construction is ongoing without the family’s knowledge and this has raised suspicion that the government is up to something.”
“It confirms they are behind the chief’s actions to call for the exhumation of the body.”
Mugabe family spokesperson, Leo said he was not aware of the continued construction of the mausoleum. “We have nothing to do with that,” he said.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the construction of the mausoleum was being handled by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The case is yet to be heard at the Chinhoyi magistrates’ court.