The Body Of Mugabe Arrives Zimbabwe (Photos)

The body of Zimbabwe’s former leader Robert Mugabe has arrived at the country’s main airport, but his final resting place remains a source of mystery amid a dispute between some family members and the government.

Mugabe, who ruled the southern African nation for 37 years until he was ousted by his own army in November 2017, died in a Singapore hospital five days ago.

The fight over where he will be buried is threatening to embarrass his successor as president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and deepen divisions in the ruling Zanu-PF party.

His body arrived at Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe international airport shortly after 3.30pm local time (2.30pm BST). Crowds had gathered at the airport well before the scheduled arrival time, with some people wearing T-shirts bearing Mugabe’s face and others with Mnangagwa’s image, while music blared from loudspeakers.

Mugabe’s wife, Grace, and the Zimbabwean vice-president Kembo Mohadi were among those accompanying the body on the plane, according to Leo Mugabe, a nephew and family spokesman. Mnangagwa, senior officials and other Mugabe family members were at the airport to receive the body.