The controversy around the burial of Zimbabwe's founding president, Robert Mugabe, centers on his widow who remains behind a black veil as she succeeds in getting President Emmerson Mnangagwa to build a special new gravesite for her husband. By A_Meldrum.
FILE- In this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, file photo, widow Grace Mugabe wears a black veil as she follows the casket of former president Robert Mugabe to an air force helicopter for transport to a stadium where it will lie in state, at his official residence in the capital Harare, Zimbabwe. Known as a strong-willed woman with political ambitions, Grace Mugabe rose from being one of the president’s secretaries to become first lady.
When the 54-year-old Grace objected to the funeral plans for Mugabe, who died last week at 95, President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to her palatial 25-bedroom residence in Harare’s posh Borrowdale suburb to consult her about how the interment should proceed. He departed saying he would respect her wishes and scrapped his funeral plans.
The wrangle over the burial highlighted the lasting acrimony between Mugabe’s widow and Mnangagwa, who helped oust Mugabe in 2017 after 37 years of often tumultuous rule as the country went from prosperity to economic decline, hyperinflation and widespread shortages. She also became increasingly prominent politically, becoming the head of the Women’s League of her husband’s ruling ZANU-PF party. She launched a series of public attacks on then-Vice President Joice Mujuru that led to Mujuru being sacked in 2014. She then turned her sights on Mnangagwa, who was fired from the vice presidency in 2017 and appeared poised to take that position herself. Mnangagwa fled the country, saying he feared for his life.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Actors Topher and Ashley Grace buy in La Cañada FlintridgeActor Topher Grace of 'That '70s Show' fame and wife, Ashley have bought a charming traditional-style home in La Cañada Flintridge for $2.975 million.
Read more »
Mugabe's family say burial 'sometime next week', ceremony privateZimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe will be buried 'sometime nex...
Read more »
Robert Mugabe's body is returned to a Zimbabwe in crisisFew turn out as Mugabe is returned to a Zimbabwe in crisis
Read more »
Zimbabwe's Mugabe to be buried at national shrine, family saysZimbabwe's founder Robert Mugabe will be buried at a national shrine in Har...
Read more »
Zimbabwe's Mugabe to be buried in his village early next week – familyThe family of Mugabe, who died in Singapore last week, and Zimbabwe's government have been at odds over whether he would be buried.
Read more »
Uncertainty in Zimbabwe on Mugabe's burial eclipses mourningZimbabweans will pay their respects to former president Robert Mugabe at his home and later at a stadium in the capital and at his birthplace, amid continuing controversy over where he will be buried.
Read more »