The former President Robert Mugabe was yesterday buried at his rural home in Kutama, Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province yesterday.

He was laid to rest at a “specially constructed site” in the courtyard of his first wife, Sally’s house.

The man who removed him from power Emmerson Mnangagwa did not attend the burial.

The burial was conducted in accordance to Roman Catholic rites, which were presided by Father Paul Tigere of Marymount Parish. Family members and a handful of villagers related to the Mugabes attended the event, where Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mrs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka was the only notable Government figure.

Robert Mugabe died of advanced prostate cancer in Singapore on September 6.

He was 95.

A family spokesperson, Mr Walter Chidhakwa thanked Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Government, during his illness.

“We want to thank President Mnangagwa and Government. The journey that we have travelled with the late Cde Mugabe has not been easy. It was full of pain. Amai (Mugabe) used to say she wants to take baba for medical check-ups in Singapore and we would approach President Mnangagwa. In no time he would assist us with travel arrangements before we return. But in the last visit, baba did not return as his condition deteriorated, leading to his death. President Mnangagwa sent a plane together with Vice-President (Kembo Mohadi) and he received us at the airport.”

Added Mr Chidhakwa: “The President then assisted us with transport, food and other logistics before conferring baba a national hero. We thank President Mnangagwa because since the death of baba, he said he will let the family decide on the funeral and burial arrangements. But it is not the family that decided, VaMugabe is the one who said he wanted to be buried here at his home. We simply followed his wish and we are happy President Mnangagwa has also granted him that wish.”

The burial was also attended by former war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda and National Constitution Assembly leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku. – state media