Former Zimbabwe President Mugabe to be buried at national shrine in Harare

HARARE - Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will be buried at the National Heroes Acre at a date to be announced, family spokesperson and Mugabe's nephew Leo Mugabe said Friday.

Mugabe told journalists that his uncle's body would be taken to the National Heroes Acre on Sunday when all the necessary procedures to honor a national hero, such as the military 21-gun salute and conferment of national hero status by the government, will be done.

"The body will then be taken away for burial later while the works that are supposed to be done at Heroes Acre are done and finalized," he said.

He said the works would take long to be completed, "perhaps as much as a week".

"Thereafter, he will then be buried at a private ceremony by the family in a private burial service," he said.

There had been issues between the Mugabe family and the government over the burial arrangements, with some family members saying that he should be buried at his rural home as per his wishes, while the government was pushing for him to be interred at the national shrine as a sign of honor.

He was speaking during the second public funeral ceremony for Mugabe at Rufaro Stadium.

Mourners from five provinces from the southern parts of the country bid the former president farewell, after those from the country's five other provinces did the same on Thursday.

According to the program, the international dignitaries will bid farewell to Mugabe at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Saturday.

At least 11 African heads of state and government have confirmed attendance and are expected to start arriving in the country Friday.