News emerged on Thursday that former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will finally be buried in his hometown of Zvimba.
And according to Floyd Shivambu, this is thanks to the “courageous leadership” of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.
In a tweet, the EFF deputy president suggested that Malema’s comments during his recent visit to Zimbabwe sparked the decision.
The Government of Zimbabwe has finally respected the last Wishes of President Mugabe & the family to bury him in Zvimba.
It took the courageous leadership of CiC @Julius_S_Malema to remind them of African tradition of respecting the wishes of the [departed].
Floyd Shivambu
Heroes Acre vs Zvimba
Mugabe passed away in a Singapore hospital on 6 September aged 95.
Recent reports indicated that there was disagreement between Zimbabwe’s government and Mugabe’s family over where he should be buried.
While the government insisted on Heroes Acre in the capital Harare, the family pushed for Mugabe’s home village, Zvimba.
Earlier this week, Malema visited Mugabe’s widow Grace Mugabe to offer his condolences.
He addressed the media afterwards and called on the government to respect Mugabe’s family’s wishes.
Part of respecting [Mugabe’s] legacy is first and foremost to respect his last wishes and to respect the wishes of his family.
It’s an absolute nonsense that you think declaring a person a national hero takes away the rights of the family.
Julius Malema
Government relents
In a statement on Thursday evening, the government finally relented and said it would “render all the necessary support” to the family.
Malema reacted to the decision by posting the government’s statement along with a “thankful” emoji.
He also retweeted Shivambu’s tweet crediting him for the decision.