Paul Nyathi|The family of former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe gathered in his rural homestead on Saturday, three weeks after his death, to attend a much-awaited burial ceremony in the village of Kutama.
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Mugabe died in a Singapore hospital on September 6, aged 95, almost two years after a military coup ended his despotic 37-year rule.
His remains will be laid to rest in the courtyard of his home in the district of Zvimba, about 55 miles west of the capital Harare.
Widow Grace, known as Gucci Grace for her lavish spending habits, wore a black veil at the ceremony as she looked on at the coffin draped in the nation’s flag.
Former first lady Grace Mugabe was pictured walking past a portrait of her late husband Robert Mugabe ahead of the funeral in Kutama, Zimbabwe on SaturdayOther images from the town captured uniformed men as they carried the former leader’s coffin, which was draped with the national flagRobert Mugabe’s wife, known as Gucci Grace for her lavish shopping sprees, wears a black veil at the burial todayA soldier stands over the coffin draped in the country’s flag with a floral display saying ‘Dad’ at the church service in the rural village
Hundreds of mourners assembled for the low-key event, which was initially intended to be a private family ceremony.
Many wore white Mugabe-emblazoned T-shirts with the slogans ‘founding father’, ‘liberator’ and ‘torch bearer.’
Some were singing and dancing. Others sat quietly under two white tents set up for the occasion.
Mugabe’s widow Grace and his children accompanied the casket – drapped in Zimbabwe’s green, yellow, red and black flag.
No senior government officials were among the audience.
The Mugabe family decided to bury Zimbabwe’s founding father in Kutama after weeks of wrangling with the government, who wanted the body to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Priests stand near a portrait of Mugabe as they prepare for the burial of the former leaderMembers of a choral group sing and dance in celebration of Robert Mugabe before the burial of the former Zimbabwe leader at his home village in Kutama todayA citizen holds a photo of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe as they attend a funeral ceremony of him at the National Sport Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe on September 14Construction of a mausoleum where Mugabe was supposed to be buried has been suspended after the family changed its mind over his burial siteZimbabwean President Robert Mugabe delivered a speech during a live broadcast at State House in Harare on Sunday, November 19, 2017 – three years before his death aged 95A soldier stands next to a portrait of the controversial leader today who led the bitter guerrilla war to end white-minority rule in the country then known as RhodesiaMany in Mugabe’s family are bitter over his ouster and the role played by his deputy and successor Emmerson Mnangagwa
A mausoleum was being constructed at the site, which is reserved for heroes of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Former guerrilla leader Mugabe took power after independence from white minority rule in 1980.
Initially hailed as a pan-African liberator, Mugabe’s rule became increasingly repressive as he cracked down on his political opponents.
This combined with a series of disastrous economic policies to drive millions of Zimbabweans abroad.
Mugabe was toppled by his formerly loyal army generals in 2017.
Many in Mugabe’s family are bitter over his ouster and the role played by his deputy and successor Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was elected president in 2018.
Zimbabwe remains deeply split over his legacy.
The main gate leading into Mugabe’s homestead is closed to allow only a few people to attend his burialVillagers look at the coffin of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe lying in state at Murombedzi Growth Point, about 107 km northwest of Harare, ZimbabweOne elderly neighbour threw a tantrum after being blocked at the gate as only approved guests are allowed at today’s ceremonyA choral group performs at a mass for former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe ahead of his burial at his rural home
