Zimbabwe’s founding leader, the late Robert Mugabe is reported to have remarked that the dead do not decide where they are buried.
These remarks are said to have been directed to former ZANU PF Secretary General, Edgar Tekere who had died. Tekere had repeatedly said that he did not want to be buried at the national heroes’ acre where mostly war veterans from Zanu-PF are buried.
He said he did not want to be buried amongst ‘thieves and crooks’, referring to officials from Zanu-PF buried at the national heroes’ acre.
The remarks are brought back to life at a time when the Mugabe indicated before his death that he would not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.
Mugabe is reported to have said that he did not want the burial procession to be presided over by his former armour bearer, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The former ZANU PF boss is said to have been bitter over Mnangagwa’s betrayal. His bitterness with Mnangagwa came after the later initiated a military coup that resulted in the demise of Mugabe.
Mnangagwa is said to have sent delegations to Singapore to persuade Mugabe to change his mind. It remains unknown whether Mugabe changed his mind or not.
More: Chelle Chipato