William Gweshegweshe Matenga's burial is caught up in a family dispute over where he should be laid to rest. Relatives of the veteran Zimbabwean actor are split between Buhera and Harare, while a bid to secure provincial hero status could delay his funeral.
Matenga died at 65 after battling high blood pressure. His death left loved ones grieving, but plans for his burial have sparked a row during the funeral wake in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza.
Some relatives want him laid to rest at the ancestral family cemetery in Buhera. Their point is quite simple. A person can receive official hero honors and still be buried in their rural area. Others prefer Warren Hills Cemetery in the capital.
And there is no clear way to settle the dispute through Matenga's wishes. An insider says he left no known instructions about his preferred grave site, while various relatives believe they deserve a say in the choice.
The push for state recognition adds another issue. Matenga had served in the liberation struggle and held a leadership role among Harare Province war veterans. His family hopes those contributions will earn him provincial hero honors.
Peter Chafewa, speaking for the family, says the paperwork is still being handled. The local War Veterans Association wants an official answer on the honor bid before funeral plans move ahead.
Meanwhile, Matenga's son Kudakwashe has joined his mother and other relatives in dealing with the documents. His father's former wife has also been part of the process, but the group has yet to receive a final response.
Two more family members have travel plans to sort out. Lawrence Matenga works in Australia, while his brother Lloyd is a lawyer based in South Africa. Both are expected back in Zimbabwe to attend the burial.
Kudakwashe, an Information Technology student at the University of Zimbabwe, is already helping with the arrangements. For the family, the key issues remain the burial location, the pending official honor, and the arrival of loved ones from abroad.
Matenga died at 65 after battling high blood pressure. His death left loved ones grieving, but plans for his burial have sparked a row during the funeral wake in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza.
Some relatives want him laid to rest at the ancestral family cemetery in Buhera. Their point is quite simple. A person can receive official hero honors and still be buried in their rural area. Others prefer Warren Hills Cemetery in the capital.
And there is no clear way to settle the dispute through Matenga's wishes. An insider says he left no known instructions about his preferred grave site, while various relatives believe they deserve a say in the choice.
The push for state recognition adds another issue. Matenga had served in the liberation struggle and held a leadership role among Harare Province war veterans. His family hopes those contributions will earn him provincial hero honors.
Peter Chafewa, speaking for the family, says the paperwork is still being handled. The local War Veterans Association wants an official answer on the honor bid before funeral plans move ahead.
Meanwhile, Matenga's son Kudakwashe has joined his mother and other relatives in dealing with the documents. His father's former wife has also been part of the process, but the group has yet to receive a final response.
Two more family members have travel plans to sort out. Lawrence Matenga works in Australia, while his brother Lloyd is a lawyer based in South Africa. Both are expected back in Zimbabwe to attend the burial.
Kudakwashe, an Information Technology student at the University of Zimbabwe, is already helping with the arrangements. For the family, the key issues remain the burial location, the pending official honor, and the arrival of loved ones from abroad.
