Mugabe's body returns to Zimbabwe for funeral, burial

The mortal remains of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Gabriel Mugabe has arrived in the capital Harare on Wednesday.

Full military honours were accorded the former leader who died at the age of 95 last week in a Singapore hospital. Arrangements have been made for his funeral and burial this weekend.

Hundreds of people lined the streets leading to the Robert Mugabe International Airport to receive his body. Mugabe has long been a loved and loathed leader for his role in independence struggle and later economic and democratic slump.

The incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling party declared Mugabe a “national hero” and said the country will remain in a state of mourning till his eventual burial.

A convoy of 4×4 vehicles with number plates bearing the letters “RG Mugabe” and the former leader’s signature were also on the runway.

Mugabe’s wife Grace and Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi were among those accompanying the body of the former leader on the plane, Leo Mugabe, a nephew and family spokesman, said.

Mnangagwa, top officials and other Mugabe family members were at the airport to receive the body.

On Thursday, ordinary Zimbabweans and supporters are expected to pay their last respects to Mugabe at a Harare soccer stadium, where the body will lie in state before being taken to his rural home in Kutama, 85 km (52 miles) from the capital, the family spokesman said.