By Chinoyi Chipulu
The family of late former president Edgar Lungu has revealed that one of his final wishes was that President Hakainde Hichilema should not be anywhere near his body.
Family Spokesperson Makebi Zulu said in a live stream from South Africa that it was Lungu’s wish that President Hichilema should stay away from his funeral and refrain from mourning him.
Zulu said Lungu wished that his remains be buried by his family as a private citizen, without the Zambian government’s involvement.
“Several engagements have taken place between the family and the government, led by Foreign Affairs minister Mulambo Haimbe, and another by former vice-president Enock Kavindele and Ambassador Leslie Mbula, in the presence of the current Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa,” he said. “At the said meetings between government and the family, it was made known that the family had already put in place all logistics to address the wishes of the deceased that his mortal remains be conveyed by the family privately and not the government of the Republic of Zambia, and that President Hakainde Hichilema should not be anywhere near the body of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for reasons that have become common cause.”
He said the family emphasised that their position was not political but rather a matter of conscience and fidelity to the former president’s final instructions.
“Matters of conscience for both the deceased and the family should not be sacrificed at the altar of convenience. While acknowledging the importance of national mourning, the family insisted that the rights of the bereaved must be balanced with the state’s ceremonial obligations. They concluded by pledging to inform the public of any alternative arrangements,” said Zulu.
