By A Correspondent- In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, family spokesperson and nephew of the late former President Robert Mugabe, revealed that the burial date and place for the national hero has been decided by the chiefs and elders of the Gushungo clan but it remained a secret.

Leo Mugabe said that the burial date and place for the late president would remain a secret because he was a chief who will get a chiefs’ burial.

He however dispelled the assertion that government was deciding on the funeral and burial arrangements of the late former president adding that the elders in the Gushungo clan and the traditional chiefs had the final say on this.

He said:

“Regarding the burial date and place, I am sure that the elders have decided. It is just that they are not saying. They have not announced but i am sure that they have decided. That is normal with chiefs, if you are burying a chief its normal. Its the culture. The shona culture says when you bury a chief, it is normal that they do not tell you until the last minute or something like that.

In the Zvimba area, when a chief dies, consult with the sabhukus what happens and they will tell you. You will probably not know that the chief has died and has already been buried. By the time that they announce, they probably would have buried him about a month ago . Those are our own customs. Let’s respect our own culture. Let us teach the world that Zimbabwe is culturally rich.”

Regarding government announcement that the late Mugabe would be buried on Sunday the 15th Leo Mugabe said:

“It is their proposal. The chiefs will have the final say. It is all to do with the chiefs. When we attended the meeting with the government, it was so clear that ok, this is when the SADC functions and the heads of states will attend, so that they do not get inconvenienced by anything that the chiefs will decide. Proposing Sunday, they are saying anytime after Sunday he can be buried. The actual burial date can change.”

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