Mnangagwa flies Grace Mugabe home from Singapore

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa moved facilitated the return home from Singapore of former first lady Grace Mugabe whose mother died last week, NewZimbawbe.com has reported.

Grace was in the southeast Asian country for treatment over an undisclosed health complaint when her mother, who was 83, died in Harare last Thursday.

Sources close to President Mnangagwa confirmed to NewZimbabwe.com that the Zanu-PF leader directed government to facilitate the former first lady's return home for her mother's funeral.

"The president decided to spare the former first lady the inconvenience of scheduled flights at this difficult moment so a chattered plane was arranged for so she could return home as quickly as possible," said a senior Zanu-PF official.

Relations between Mnangagwa and the former first family appear to be on the mend after hitting a deadly low as the fight for former president Mugabe's succession came to head.

After being publicly humiliated at rallies by Grace, Mnangagwa was dramatically fired from government and Zanu-PF by Mugabe in November last year.

NPF spokesman Jealousy Mawarire commended Mnangagwa for the gesture.

"I want to thank President Mnangagwa and his Presidium for facilitating for the travel of former First Lady Dr Mugabe back home for the funeral of Ambuya Marufu," Mawarire said on Twitter.

"Such a gesture is very much invaluable and much appreciated. May the lord keep you, lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."