Children carry firewood near the place where former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was supposed to be buried at the National Heroes Acre, in Harare, Friday, Sept, 27, 2019. Zimbabwe's former president Mugabe will now be buried at his rural home, according to a government spokesperson. Mugabe's burial location has been a source of mystery and contention since his death earlier this month at age 95 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
The Associated Press
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - The abrupt change of plans for the burial place of Zimbabwe's longtime leader Robert Mugabe has left the government with an incomplete mausoleum and confusion over what happens next.
It is not clear when Mugabe will be buried at his rural home after the government announced Thursday it would comply with his family's latest wishes.
The family previously agreed on a burial at the National Heroes Acre in the capital, Harare, but only after the construction of a mausoleum setting Mugabe apart from the rest.
Now steel rods and scaffolding remain at the hilltop site as the drama over the resting place of one of Africa's longest serving leaders continues.
Mugabe died this month in Singapore at age 95. He led Zimbabwe for 37 years before being forced to retire.
Construction of a mausoleum where former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was supposed to be buried continues at the National Heroes Acre, in Harare, Friday, Sept, 27, 2019. Zimbabwe's former president Mugabe will now be buried at his rural home, according to a government spokesperson. Mugabe's burial location has been a source of mystery and contention since his death earlier this month at age 95 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
The Associated Press
Construction of a mausoleum where former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was supposed to be buried continues at the National Heroes Acre, in Harare, Friday, Sept, 27, 2019. Zimbabwe's former president Mugabe will now be buried at his rural home, according to a government spokesperson. Mugabe's burial location has been a source of mystery and contention since his death earlier this month at age 95 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
The Associated Press