Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will finally be buried at his rural home in West Mashonaland region according to his wishes, it has emerged.
Since his death early this month, controversy has surrounded his burial site with family opposing government's decision to have him buried at Heroes Square Acre in Harare.
Before the State funeral last week at National Stadium, the family had given in to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's order to have the octogenarian laid to rest in Harare.
However, the position seems to have changed, with the government now supporting move to have him buried at his ancestoral home in Mashonaland.
The government said the family of the former leader, who died in Singapore on September 6 aged 95, "has expressed its desire to proceed with his burial in Zvimba".
"Government is cooperating with the Mugabe family in their new position," government spokesman Nick Mangwana said in a statement.
The family gave no reason for the change of plans. It had previously agreed to have his body entombed at the shrine where preparations for a special mausoleum were already in progress.
"I knew there were discussions, rethinking and so forth," Mugabe's nephew and family spokesman Leo Mugabe told AFP but stated no reason for the new plans.
The family said that President Mugabe was unhappy following the coup that saw his former Vice President Mnangagwa take over power.
Early this week, South Africa's leftist politician Julius Malema supported Mugabe's decision to be buried in his hural home, arguing that he was betrayed by his comrades.
According to Leo Mugabe, his uncle died bitter, blaming Mnangagwa and General Costantino Chiwenga of undermining and soiling his legacy.