HARARE - The body of Zimbabwe's founder
Robert Mugabe arrived at the country's main airport on
Wednesday, but his final resting place remained a source of
mystery amid a dispute between some family members and the
government.
Mugabe, one of the last "Big Men" of African politics who
ruled the southern African nation for 37 years until he was
ousted by his own army in November 2017, died in a Singapore
hospital five days ago.
He is proving as polarising in death as he was in life, as
the fight over where he will be buried threatens to embarrass
his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and deepen
divisions in the ruling ZANU-PF party.
The former president's body arrived at Harare's Robert
Gabriel Mugabe International Airport shortly after 1330 GMT. A
military guard of honour stood at attention as the casket was
removed from the aircraft, draped in the national flag and
accompanied by security chiefs.
"The entire nation of Zimbabwe, our people, across the board
are grieved and are in mourning because the light which led us
to independence is no more, but his works, his ideology will
continue to guide this nation," Mnangagwa said.
"On the day we shall lay him to rest, on Sunday, I appeal to
you in your hundreds, in your thousands, in your millions to
show your love of our great leader who has left us," he added.
Mugabe's wife Grace, dressed in black with a black veil, was
next to Mnangagwa at the airport. Also present were Mugabe’s
daughter Bona and Savior Kasukuwere, a former Mugabe cabinet
minister and staunch ally who has been living in self-imposed
exile in South Africa since early this year.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the former general who
led the coup that overthrew Mugabe, was conspicuous by his
absence at the airport. He has been receiving treatment in China
since July for an unknown illness
Crowds had gathered at the airport well before the scheduled
arrival time, with some wearing T-shirts bearing Mugabe's face
and others with Mnangagwa's image, while music blared from
loudspeakers.
A convoy of 4x4 vehicles with number plates bearing the
letters "RG Mugabe" and the former leader's signature were also
on the runway.
BLUE ROOF
Leo Mugabe, a nephew and family spokesman, declined to say
where Mugabe would be buried.
Mnangagwa said the body would be taken to Mugabe's palatial
home in the capital, known as Blue Roof, after a detour to a
military barracks for prayers.
On Thursday, ordinary Zimbabweans and supporters are
expected to pay their last respects to Mugabe at a Harare soccer
stadium, where the body will lie in state before being taken to
his rural home in Kutama, 85 km (50 miles) from the capital, he
added.
Mnangagwa and his party want Mugabe buried at a national
monument to heroes of the liberation war against the white
minority Rhodesian regime.
But some of Mugabe's relatives have pushed back against that
plan. They share Mugabe's bitterness at the way former allies
including Mnangagwa conspired to topple him and want him buried
in his home village.
Sunday's burial will take place a day after a state funeral,
but officials said the burial site would only be known after
consultations with the family.
Mugabe left behind an economy wrecked by hyperinflation and
deeply entrenched corruption, and a raging political rivalry
between ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC.
The MDC said in a statement on Wednesday that it had
postponed its 20th anniversary rally because of Mugabe's
funeral. It said: "Notwithstanding our legendary differences
with Mr. Mugabe, we have no reason to exhibit barbarity by
hosting a national festivity during his funeral."