We want Robert Mugabe's body to pass through rural home by road - spokesperson

Harare -- The body of former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, who died in Singapore on September 6, is expected to arrive at his rural home in Zvimba on Monday. 

It had earlier been planned that the body would be taken to Zvimba on Sunday to allow the people there to bid him farewell. 

Family spokesperson Leo Mugabe told media at Mugabe's rural homestead that the program had changed and the body was now expected to leave Harare on Monday at 10 am. "However, we were not informed of the reasons for the postponement. The body was supposed to be here today. As you can see, thousands of people have already gathered here to bid farewell to their own son. 

"I am not sure what caused the postponement. I heard the former First Lady Grace Mugabe wanted to rest. Like any other human being she needs a rest," he said. 

Mugabe said the body might go to Zvimba by road as requested by Norton residents and people from other surrounding areas. 

"We will inform those leading the proceedings on the latest development. Our plan was to have his body come by road to enable people from Norton and other surrounding areas to pay last respects to their former President. 

"Some might not get transport to ferry them to Zvimba, so we are organising that the body passes through by road," he said. Mugabe said after the rural proceedings, the body would be taken to a mortuary on Tuesday, where it would lie in state for about 30 days while a mausoleum was being built at the National Heroes Acre. 

Xinhua

• Zimbabwe is serious about reform, needs outside support - foreign minister

• Honour Zim by lifting sanctions, Mnangagwa pleads at Mugabe funeral

• Ramaphosa says xenophobic attacks 'a national shame'

• 'He was an intellectual giant': African leaders praise Robert Mugabe

• Mbeki to address Robert Mugabe's memorial service in Durban

• Zimbabwean doctors protest against abduction of union leader

• Zimbabwean Dr Peter Magombeyi goes missing after leading calls for strike

• Robert Mugabe did not own the Blue Roof in Zimbabwe, says nephew

• Opinion: Under Mugabe, Zim people became worse off than under Ian Smith's rule