Despite the Zimbabwe National Army trying to make light the matter of officers pictured standing on late former Vice President Joshua Mqabuko’s grave at the National Heroes Acre, the National Museum and Monuments have declared that they are taking the matter seriously and will be making investigations on it.

National Museum and Monuments Director Dr Godfrey Mahachi emphasised that the National Heroes’ Acre is a very important national shrine and should be treated with respect.

He said his department will investigate the matter and engage authorities at the shrine and the army.

“It’s a shrine where we bury important people who have made tremendous contributions towards the independence of the country. Everybody should respect that,” said Dr Mahachi.

The picture showing two uniformed soldiers and a civilian at the grave of the late former Vice President at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare went viral on Tuesday attracting huge criticism from all sectors in the country.

In its defence, the army claimed that the picture was photoshopped.

ZNA spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore said that the soldiers on the picture were not in the uniform used by those guarding the shrine making him believe that it was manipulated.

“That picture was photoshopped. The National Heroes’ Acre is guarded by troops from the Presidential Guard and soldiers in the picture are not in the official colours of the Presidential Guard. It’s a doctored picture,” said Lt Col Makotore.

Closer looks at the picture however do not justify the army’s claims which they have to work very hard to prove to the investigators from the National Museums and Monuments.

The late Dr Nkomo, a renowned nationalist and politician, died on January 1 in 1999 and was buried at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare.