Govt, family feud over Msipa burial

President Robert Mugabe yesterday reportedly told the family of the late national hero, Cephas Msipa, to reverse his deathbed wish to be laid to rest next to his wife, Charlotte, at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre and instead agree that he be interred at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on Saturday.

Msipa's eldest son, Douglas, yesterday said he was devastated that Zanu-PF was insistent that he be buried at the national shrine, against the former Midlands governor's wishes.

He said the decision was taken at a meeting attended by officials from the Home Affairs ministry and three of Msipa's sons based in Harare - Cephas Jnr, Chris and Elijah.

The late former Zanu-PF politburo member and Midlands governor succumbed to pneumonia at a private hospital in Harare on Monday at the age of 85.