Leo Mugabe, nephew to the late former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has said that his uncle was bitter since 2017 when he was removed from power until the time of his death this week.
Leo added that his uncle was hurt by the fact that those who toppled him were his most trusted lieutenants. Speaking to reporters on Saturday outside Mugabe’s homestead in Kutama village, 85 km (52.8 miles) from the capital Harare along the Robert Mugabe Highway, Leo said:
He was bitter. You can imagine, the people that you trusted, the people who were guarding you, the people that were looking after your security are the same people that turn against you.
He was very bitter and it dented his legacy, … it was not an easy thing for him. His health deteriorated quickly after his ousting and he was hurt that those who removed him never apologised.
Reports suggest that Mugabe snubbed the National Heroes Acre burial before he died because he did not want his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his colleagues to preside over his funeral.
Mnangagwa is said to have sent delegations to Singapore to try and persuade Mugabe to change his mind over the matter.
Mnangagwa has since declared Mugabe a national hero and said that the nation will be mourning him until he has been buried.
More: Nehanda Radio