A traditional court has ruled that Grace Mugabe, the widow of former President Robert Mugabe should give away five cows and two goats for improperly burying her husband. 

The customary court presided by Chief Zvimba, born Stanley Mhondoro met on Thursday in the absence of Grace Mugabe at nearby Murombedzi with only about 15 people present and journalists excluded because the traditional leader’s entourage said he wanted “some privacy”.

Mugabe who died in 2019 at the age of 95, was buried in the courtyard of his home in Kutama, some 90 kilometres (56 miles) west of the capital Harare. 

According to Zvimba, the former President was supposed to be buried in a place chosen by his mother or immediate family. 

He called for the body to be exhumed and reburied according to custom. 

The court ruling cannot compel the accused but its decisions have a strong symbolic impact.