Avatar photo

By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


Stadium less than half full for Mugabe’s funeral

The world can't seem to get over how empty the venue was for what was meant to be a resounding send-off for Zimbabwe's founding father.


Following the chaos on Thursday that led to scores of people being injured as they clamoured to view his body as it was lying in state, president Robert Mugabe received a fairly mild send-off.

This is according to images of Harare’s National Sports Stadium, which was surprisingly empty despite its 60,000-capacity. That is similar to Ellis Park Stadium’s capacity, which sits at 62,567 and more than Moses Mabhida, Cape Town Stadium and Kings Park Stadium, which all have a capacity of less than 60,000.

The lack of bums in seats at the stadium prompted people to question where his devoted following was during the ceremony.

https://twitter.com/Princymthombeni/status/1172892516150075392?s=20

Others believe this is a reflection of how the people of Zimbabwe truly feel about the late elder statesman, while some believe it means nothing.

https://twitter.com/GaoneJuju/status/1173130942006927360?s=20

Mugabe died in a clinic in Singapore a week ago and was meant to be buried by his family, within about 30 days, at the National Heroes Acre after government concludes the construction of a monument in his honour.

READ NEXT: Special Presidential Envoys to deliver messages of solidarity across Africa

(Compiled by Kaunda Selisho)

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

Read more on these topics

funeral Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.