A Zimbabwean court visited the mausoleum built for former President Robert Mugabe at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, as well as the family cemetery in Zvimba where he is currently buried.
The development comes amidst a longstanding dispute over Mugabe’s final resting place.
Chinhoyi Magistrate Kudzanai Mahaso granted village head Tinos Manongovere’s request for an inspection in loco at both sites.
The inspection, which took place Thursday, aimed to verify the places where Mugabe family members are buried in Zvimba and the proposed burial site at the Heroes Acre.
Kudzanai Gombiro, the former First Family’s lawyer Kudzanai Gombiro confirmed the development.
“Yes, Manongovere requested to show the court places where Mugabe family members are buried in Zvimba and a place they wanted him buried at Heroes Acre and the request was granted by the magistrate. We are going to the two places tomorrow,” he said.
The dispute over Mugabe’s burial site began in 2019, when the government and his family clashed over whether he should be buried at the National Heroes Acre or at his rural homestead in Zvimba.
The family ultimately opted for the latter, but the government has continued to push for his reburial at the Heroes Acre.
In 2021, Chief Zvimba ordered Mugabe’s widow, Grace, to exhume his remains and rebury them at the National Heroes Acre. The order was confirmed by a Magistrate Court.
Mugabe’s children have been challenging the ruling, arguing that Chief Zvimba acted outside his jurisdiction.
Mugabe’s mausoleum was completed in 2023. The project was spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government in partnership with private contractors.
