Mnangagwa In Disagreement With Mugabe Family Over Funeral Arrangements

By Staff Reporter
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September 07, 2019

Officials and family members are arguing over the arrangements for the burial of Robert Mugabe, the former Zimbabwean president who died in Singapore last week aged 95.

High-ranking members of the ruling Zanu-PF party are understood to have told Mugabe’s close family that his remains should be interred at a hilltop monument outside Harare, the capital, following a ceremony at the nearby national stadium, where dozens of prominent African leaders would be present.

However friends and allies of Mugabe’s second wife, Grace, have said that the late dictator made it clear he would prefer to be buried at his home town of Zvimba, about 60 miles from Harare, with only close relatives in attendance.

They said that Mugabe, who was ousted in a military takeover in November 2017, did not want his death exploited for political gain by his successors.

Mugabe’s remains have yet to be repatriated from Singapore, where he died in a private clinic. Many of his close family members are there, including his widow, along with a team of senior officials.

“Comrade Mugabe will be buried at the Heroes Acre,” deputy information minister Energy Mutodi said. “That is where he deserves to rest.”

Leo Mugabe, a nephew of Robert Mugabe and a family spokesman, told The Associated Press that the date of the funeral and other details, including when Mugabe’s body will arrive in Zimbabwe, weren’t yet available.

“Arrangements are not in place yet,” he said in a text message.

Located on a hilltop, and built with the help of North Korean architects, the plot has a commanding view of Harare, features a huge bronze statue of three guerrilla fighters and boasts black marble and granite flourishes.

Mugabe is viewed by many as a national hero despite decades of rule that left the country struggling. He was an ex-guerrilla chief who took power in 1980 when Zimbabwe shook off white minority rule and presided for decades while economic turmoil and human rights violations eroded its early promise.

Mugabe had been forced to relinquish power by a previously loyal military in November 2017.

Flags flew at half-staff Saturday, but there were no public activities to mark the death of a man who singularly shaped the once-prosperous country in his own image and created a repressive system that some say remains even today.

Reaction to his death was mixed, although praise ironically came mostly from ruling party officials and military leaders.

The state-run Herald newspaper, which vilified Mugabe when he was forced to resign and when he subsequently voiced support for the opposition, carried glowing tributes.

In a “commemorative edition,” the newspaper, which often acts as a mouthpiece of the government, carried a montage of his pictures with the headline: “Robert Mugabe-1924-2019″ on its front page and glowing reports throughout.

In an editorial page, the newspaper praised Mugabe for “his uncompromising stance when it came to the rights of Africans.”

“Whatever happened towards the end of his leadership should not be used to rubbish the good things that he did during his life,” the commander of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces and one of the commanders who led the military campaign to oust Mugabe after years of propping his rule, was quoted as saying in a separate story in the newspaper.

Others were less charitable. “95 and out,” read the privately-owned Newsday newspaper.

“Despite his intellectual prowess, Mugabe’s failure to let go of power when it was time was his major undoing . In short, he was a liberator who turned villain. Leaders need to know when to draw the line,” said the newspaper in an editorial.

“End of an era as Mugabe dies, leaves Zim poor, divided,” read the front page headline of another privately-owned newspaper, the Daily News.

“Notwithstanding the many mistakes that he made, many Zimbabweans will probably agree that had he not held on to power beyond the 1990s, he would today be largely remembered as one of Africa’s best leaders in history,” the paper said in an editorial.

Both newspapers were major targets of Mugabe’s vitriol, with editors and reporters routinely arrested during Mugabe’s rule.

On the streets of the capital, Harare, few seemed bothered as people struggled to cope with biting economic problems largely blamed by critics on Mugabe’s rule and perpetuated by his successor and an ally who later turned foe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa took power in 2017 with the help of the military.

“Who cares?” said Percy Maute, a street vendor pushing a cart full of tomatoes along a busy street named after the former president. “I don’t care. I am too busy looking for money to mourn a man who put me in this position.”

A small group of people drank beer and sang pro-Mugabe songs outside a liquor outlet and wore T-shirts with Mugabe’s face. Although only a few people cared to join or commiserate with them, they danced vigorously and spoke glowingly of a man they said fought for the liberation of not just Zimbabwe, but “the rest of Africa.”

“Bob was our hero, he taught us that the white man is not a master,” they sang. Mugabe was popularly known by the nickname Bob.

Category:
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Politics

Info News

Best Email Marketing Platforms for Small Business Growth in 2026

Email marketing remains one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways for small businesses to connect with customers, drive sales, and build long-term relationships. While social media trends come and go, email continues to deliver consistent results because it gives businesses direct access to their audience. Choosing the best email marketing platforms for small business can make a major difference in how effectively you reach and convert your customers.

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In 2026, email marketing is no longer just about sending newsletters. Modern platforms offer automation, personalization, and advanced analytics that allow even small businesses to run highly targeted campaigns. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your marketing efforts, the right platform can help you save time, improve engagement, and increase revenue.

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Why Email Marketing Still Works

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Despite the rise of social media and paid advertising, email marketing continues to outperform many other channels. One of the main reasons is ownership—your email list belongs to you, unlike social media followers that depend on platform algorithms.

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Choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. However, focusing on a few key features can help you make the best decision.

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1. Ease of Use

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A good platform should be easy to navigate, even if you have no technical experience. Drag-and-drop editors and ready-made templates can save time and simplify the process.

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To get the most out of your email marketing efforts, it’s important to follow proven strategies.

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Write Engaging Subject Lines

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Your subject line is the first thing recipients see. A compelling subject line increases the chances that your email will be opened.

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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A DUI arrest is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the case, and the defense has the right to challenge the evidence.

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A DUI defense lawyer looks for legal, factual, and technical problems in the government’s case.

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Every DUI case is different. Some defenses focus on the traffic stop. Others focus on field sobriety tests, chemical testing, officer procedure, or whether the person was actually impaired.

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Defense 1: Illegal Traffic Stop

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Police usually need a legal reason to stop a driver.

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Possible stop reasons include:

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Speeding
rnSwerving
rnRunning a red light
rnExpired tag
rnEquipment violation
rnAccident investigation
rnReasonable suspicion of impaired driving

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If the stop was not legally justified, evidence gathered after the stop may be challenged.

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Defense 2: No Probable Cause for Arrest

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Even if the stop was legal, the officer must have enough evidence to make a DUI arrest.

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A lawyer may review:

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Driving behavior
rnOfficer observations
rnSpeech
rnBalance
rnOdor of alcohol
rnField sobriety tests
rnStatements
rnVideo evidence
rnMedical conditions

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If probable cause was weak, the arrest may be challenged.

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Defense 3: Field Sobriety Test Problems

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Field sobriety tests are not always reliable.

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A person may perform poorly because of:

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Medical conditions
rnAnxiety
rnFatigue
rnAge
rnInjury
rnPoor footwear
rnUneven ground
rnWeather
rnBad instructions
rnLanguage barriers

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A DUI lawyer may compare the officer’s report to body camera or dash camera video.

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Defense 4: Breath Test Issues

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Breath testing can be challenged if the machine or procedure was flawed.

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Potential issues include:

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Improper calibration
rnLack of maintenance
rnOfficer certification problems
rnMouth alcohol
rnVomiting or burping before test
rnMedical conditions
rnImproper observation period
rnRadio frequency interference claims
rnTesting outside required time windows

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A breath result is only as strong as the procedure behind it.

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Defense 5: Blood Test Problems

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Blood tests may be challenged based on:

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Improper blood draw
rnContamination
rnChain of custody
rnStorage problems
rnLab errors
rnFermentation
rnTesting delays
rnDocumentation gaps
rnQualified person requirements

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A lawyer may request lab records and review whether the sample was handled properly.

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Defense 6: Rising Blood Alcohol

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A rising blood alcohol defense argues that the person’s BAC was lower while driving and rose by the time of testing.

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This may be relevant when there is a delay between the stop and the chemical test.

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The defense depends on drinking timeline, food intake, body weight, test timing, and expert analysis.

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Defense 7: Medical Conditions

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Some medical conditions can affect DUI evidence.

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Examples may include:

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Diabetes
rnAcid reflux
rnNeurological disorders
rnBalance disorders
rnEye conditions
rnInjuries
rnFatigue
rnAnxiety
rnMedication side effects

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A medical issue does not automatically defeat a DUI charge, but it may explain certain observations.

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Defense 8: Not Actually Driving

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Some cases involve people found in parked vehicles.

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Legal issues may include:

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Was the person driving?
rnWas the engine on?
rnWhere were the keys?
rnWas the vehicle operable?
rnWas the person sleeping?
rnDid anyone witness driving?

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State laws vary on what counts as driving or actual physical control.

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Defense 9: Police Report vs. Video Evidence

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Police reports sometimes make a case look stronger than video shows.

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A DUI lawyer may review:

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Body camera footage
rnDash camera footage
rnBooking video
rnRoadside testing video
rnAudio recordings
rnJail observation video

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Video can confirm or contradict officer claims.

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Defense 10: Constitutional Violations

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A DUI case may involve constitutional issues such as:

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Unlawful stop
rnUnlawful search
rnImproper questioning
rnViolation of rights
rnImproper detention
rnLack of warrant where required

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A lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence if legal rights were violated.

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Final Thoughts

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A DUI defense lawyer does not rely on one-size-fits-all arguments. The defense depends on the evidence.

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Traffic stop, arrest procedure, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, video evidence, and constitutional issues all matter.

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If you are charged with DUI, get the evidence reviewed before deciding what to do next.