Wicknell Chivayo Burial: Uncle Reveals What Will Happen Before Bodies Are Taken to Glenforest

The family of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has begun final preparations for his burial, with his uncle announcing a detailed programme for the funeral. The arrangements include collecting two bodies, a night-long viewing at home and a high-profile ceremony at Glenforest Cemetery.

According to Chivayo’s uncle, the family planned to visit Glenforest to identify and prepare a suitable burial site. He said preparations were progressing as planned, although a forecasted storm remained the only potential disruption to the carefully arranged funeral timeline.

The uncle said the two bodies would be collected the following afternoon, with the retrieval expected between 3pm and 5pm. After collection, the bodies would be transported to the family home, where they would lie in state overnight.

The overnight vigil will provide relatives, friends and close associates with an opportunity to pay their final respects in a more private setting. The arrangement comes as the family continues coordinating funeral preparations ahead of the main burial ceremony scheduled for Thursday.

The official funeral programme will see the procession depart for Glenforest at around midnight on Thursday. The burial ceremony is expected to take place later that afternoon, with proceedings scheduled for approximately 2pm or 2:30pm, according to the family’s plans.

The uncle also confirmed that several African heads of state and other prominent dignitaries had been invited to attend the burial. Their expected presence highlights the significance of Chivayo’s funeral, with distinguished guests anticipated to arrive from Tuesday onwards.

“There shall be some dignitaries and heads of state who shall come for this occasion, so we are expecting them from today onwards,” the uncle said. His remarks confirmed that preparations were already underway to receive high-profile guests.

The announcement has added further attention to the funeral arrangements, given Chivayo’s prominence in Zimbabwe and his extensive connections with influential figures. The presence of African leaders is expected to make the burial one of the country’s closely watched funeral ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the family has appealed to Zimbabweans to mourn peacefully and avoid chaos during the proceedings. The appeal comes as relatives prepare to welcome mourners and dignitaries while ensuring the funeral arrangements proceed smoothly and respectfully.

The family’s detailed programme is expected to guide mourners through the final stages before the burial. From the collection of the bodies and overnight vigil to the procession and ceremony at Glenforest, preparations remain focused on an orderly farewell.

With dignitaries expected from across Africa, attention will now turn to Glenforest Cemetery and the family home as preparations intensify. The family remains hopeful that the weather will not interfere with the programme as Zimbabweans prepare to bid farewell.

Usitnyun [email protected]