Having settled disagreements with the Zimbabwean government over his final resting site, the family of the country’s former President, Robert Mugabe have announced that the late leader will be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, the country’s capital.

The family had earlier expressed shock that they had not been consulted by the government about the funeral arrangements despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa declaring Mugabe a national hero after his death, indicating he should be buried at the national monument.

The family spokesman, Leo Mugabe has now given a sketch of what the funeral will look like. He said that before the burial, there will be a public ceremony at the shrine in Harare on Sunday, followed by a ceremony at Kutama, Mugabe’s village were clan chiefs and the family would be allowed to perform some traditional rites. 

Before Sunday’s ceremonies, a state funeral will be held on Saturday where the Heads of State of a number of countries are expected.

The body of Mr. Mugabe, who was 95 years old before he died last week while being treated in Singapore is now lying in state at the Rufaro Football Stadium in Harare.

Meanwhile, thousands of mourners have been queuing up at the Rufaro Stadium to pay their final respects to Mr. Mugabe.

There was however a brief stampede on Thursday as people rushed forward to catch a glimpse of Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s first leader after the country became independent in 1980.

He held on to power for almost four decades before he was ousted in 2017 in a bloodless military coup.