Former First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe has been summoned by traditional ruler, Chief Zvimba, to explain why she “improperly” buried her husband and former President, Robert Mugabe at his rural home in Zvimba.
Mugade passed on in Singapore in September 2019 and he was eventually buried at his home village in Kutama, Zvimba in Mashonaland West after a protracted wrangle between his family and the government.
Initially, the government wanted to bury Mugabe at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, but his family declined the offer on the grounds that Mugabe had made it clear that he should both be buried at the national shrine. According to the family, he was bitter at the way he was dethroned in the November 2017 military intervention.
Grace has been accused of committing a taboo by laying the deceased, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, to rest in a house which violates the culture of the Zvimba people.
In the summons that were served on Grace Mugabe, Chief Zvimba fined her 5 beasts and one goat for violating cultural and traditional rites by burying Mugabe at his homestead. She will soon appear at the traditional court.
The summon read:
You are being summoned to appear before Chief Zvimba’s Court at Gonzo Guzha Hall, Murombedzi Growth Point on 20 May 2021 at 0930 over the following allegations.
a. You’re accused of committing a taboo by burying the deceased Robert Gabriel Mugabe in a house which is a violation of the culture of the Zvimba people. You also let Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s clothes/properties scatter.
b) All of Rober Gabriel Mugabe’s clothes/properties must be gathered and stored properly at the deceased’s house following our culture as the Zvimba people.
c) I also want the deceased – Robert Mugabe- to be reburied according to the culture of the Zvimba people at a place chosen by his relatives and mother.
d) For the above-mentioned violations, you are, therefore, required to pay 5 beasts and one goat.
1) You are allowed to bring witnesses and evidence to the court.
2) If you fail to attend the hearing without permission from the court, the court will rule in favour of the applicant.
3) If you want clarity on the matter, approach the court on the date set for the hearing.
