Paul Nyathi|Information just received indicates that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will not be attending the late former President Robert Mugabe’s private family burial in Zvimba this weekend.

According to the reports, Mnangagwa has designated Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema to stand for him and read his speech at the burial if the family opens up space for government officials to take part in the programme.

Mugabe and Mnangagwa had a fallout since the later disposed him from power in coup in November 2017 leading to Mugabe making dying wishes that include a call for Mnangagwa not to preside over his burial.

Mugabe also told the family that he does not want Mnangagwa and his allies to take custody of his body as it might be used for ritualistic purposes, sources said.

Before his death in Singapore, Mugabe told his family that he does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa, some government officials and military chiefs, whom he viewed as “betrayers” and “tormentors”.

Mugabe also told his family that he does not want Mnangagwa and the government to have custody of his body at any given moment and pontificate over it, insisting Grace and other family members must closely stick to it until it is interred.

Mnangagwa is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe on Friday night from the UN General Assembly.