As crowds gathered to pay their respects, a war of words broke out between Robert Mugabe’s family and the Government.

Led by wife Grace, they said they were in “shock” at how Zimbabwe leaders were trying to hijack the funeral.

Mugabe died, aged 95, still angry at how he was forced out of office in 2017.

President Mnangagwa had declared Mugabe a national hero, indicating he should be buried at the national monument in capital Harare.

But nephew Leo Mugabe said: “His body will lie in state at Kutama… followed by a private burial – no National Heroes Acre.”

The dictator, whose body was on show in Harare today, was the first leader after independence in 1980.

Nephew Leo Mugabe said: “His body will lie in state at Kutama on Sunday night… followed by a private burial – either Monday or Tuesday – no National Heroes Acre [the national monument for liberation heroes].

“That’s the decision of the whole family.”

Education Minister Paul Mavhima said there is no doubt Mugabe should be buried as a national hero.

He said: “Such an icon, one whose funeral service is going to be attended by almost 50 current and former heads of state.

“Such a founding father of this country, there should never be a discussion about that.

“There should never be any conflict whatsoever. The decision should be clear, he should go to the national shrine.

In a statement, the Mugabe family said it was extremely concerned over the way the authorities had made funeral plans “without consulting his immediate family who were tasked with communicating his last wishes in regard to his funeral and burial”.

It said: “We have also observed with shock that the government of Zimbabwe is attempting to coerce us to accept a programme for the funeral and burial of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe which is contrary to his wishes on how he wished to have his mortal remains interred.”

The statement adds that one of the late leader’s final wishes was for his wife, Grace, to never leave her husband’s asket during the funeral up until the point when he is buried.

His body was flown back to Zimbabwe from Singapore on Wednesday.

Mr Mugabe was Zimbabwe’s first leader after the country became independent in 1980.

He held on to power for almost four decades before being ousted in the 2017 coup.

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