Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe is laid to rest in a private ceremony at his country home, after weeks-long dispute between his family and the government over his final resting place
Family of Robert Mugabe gathered in his rural homestead on Saturday, for a low-keyed funeral, three weeks after his death
Burial ceremony for the man who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years with an iron grip was in his village of Kutama, about 55 miles from the capital city of Harare
Mugabe died in a Singapore hospital on Sept 6, aged 95, almost two years after a military coup ended his nearly four decades rule as the absolute despot of the newly emerging African nation
Mugabe’s widow Grace and his children accompanied the casket which was draped in Zimbabwe’s green, yellow, red and black flag
No senior government officials were among the audience
Grace Mugabe walked behind his coffin in a black veil as the former Zimbabwe president is buried in a private ceremony in the courtyard of his rural home after long-running dispute between his family and the government over his final resting place
Only approved guests were in attendance at the private farewell today, an uncommon move in Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe is buried in private ceremony in the courtyard of his rural home: Uniformed men as they carried the former leader’s coffin, which was draped with the national flag
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 o
Mugabe died in a Singapore hospital on September 6, aged 95, almost two years after a military coup ended his 37-year rule as the absolute despot of the young nation that emerged from the former British colony of Rhodesia
His remains was laid to rest in the courtyard of his home in the district of Zvimba, about 55 miles west of the capital Harare.
Mugabe’s widow Grace 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 walks past a portrait of her late husband Robert Mugabe ahead of the funeral in Kutama, Zimbabwe on Sept 28
A soldier stands guard beside the ex-president’s coffin draped in the country’s flag with a floral display saying ‘Dad’ at the church service in the rural village of Kutama on Saturday
Former Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, [photo], was ousted in a coup in 2017, after 37 years of iron-fisted leadership of the former Rhodesia. His rule was marked by hyper inflation, high unemployment, official kleptocracy and brutal repression of opposition that left over 10,000 dead and many more either jailed or driven into exile. To his supporters however, he remains peerless
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 which was draped in Zimbabwe’s green, yellow, red and black flag.
No senior government officials were among the audience.
The Mugabe family decided to bury Zimbabwe first post independence president in Kutama after weeks of wrangling with the government, who wanted the body laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Former first lady Grace Mugabe, who wanted her husband buried at their city residence, ‘The Blue palace’ in Harare, is seen wearing a black veil at the burial today
The officiating priests stand near a portrait of Mugabe as they prepare for the burial of the former leader in Kutama on Saturday. inspite of his many failings Mugabe loyalists still revere the fighter who led the bitter guerrilla war to end white-minority rule in the country then known as Rhodesia
A choral group performs at a requiem mass for former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe ahead of his burial at his rural home on Saturday
Members of a choral group sing and dance in celebration of Mugabe before the burial of the former president at his home village in Kutama, Zimbabwe today
Initially the late leader’s family reached an agreement with the central govt that he would be buried at a new mausoleum [photo], but construction has been suspended after the family changed its mind over his burial site days later
A soldier stands guard next to a portrait of the controversial leader today. Senior govt official did not attend the private burial ceremony at Mugabe’s country home
Many in Mugabe’s family are bitter over his ouster and the role played by his deputy and successor Emmerson Mnangagwa in ending his 37-year rule in 2017
The main gate leading into Mugabe’s country home is closed to allow only invited guests to attend his burial. The late ex-president is buried in the courtyard of his home
The avowed socialist guerrilla leader Mugabe led the new nation emerging 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.
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.
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