This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 15, 2019, Robert Mugabe was laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, but the final rites were not without controversy. The government and Mugabe's family have been at odds over who should take charge of the burial plans.
According to sources, the family and the government have been engaged in secret conversations, with the burial plans being changed several times due to disagreements.
Initially, the government announced that Mugabe would be buried at Heroes Acre Cemetery in Harare on Sunday, but later that day, the family announced that the burial would take place within 30 days.
Experts believe that the two parties are trying to buy time to resolve their differences.
At the centre of the tussle is Mugabe's widow, Grace Mugabe, who is facing several challenges, including arrest in South Africa for allegedly assaulting a South African model with an electrical extension cord in 2017.
Grace Mugabe is also under sanctions and has travel bans from the European Union and the United States.
However, Leo Mugabe, the family spokesperson, insists that Grace Mugabe has no reason to leave Zimbabwe.
