By Mubanga Mubanga
PF acting President Given Lubinda says maybe it was the Holy Spirit that gripped former president Edgar Lungu to leave instructions to his family before dying that a particular individual must not view his body.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Lubinda said there was no connection between Lungu declaring the National Day of Prayers and Reconciliation, and leaving instructions to his family for a particular individual not to be anywhere near his body.
This was an apparent reference to President Hakainde Hichilema, who the family indicated that Lungu did not want him to be anywhere near his body.
“We have heard this argument because he declared the day of National Unity, National Prayer and Reconciliation, therefore, it is not possible that he could have said, ‘I don’t want an individual to come to my burial.’ Where is the connection? There is no connection,” Lubinda said. “The man might have just decided on his death bed. I don’t know what happens when a man is about to die, I don’t know. But, maybe the Spirit, the Holy Spirit gripped and said, as you go to your father, this particular person must not witness your body.’”
Lubinda further said the government failed to honor the agreement, hence the decision by Lungu’s family to bury him in South Africa.
“It is our understanding that the GRZ produced a funeral programme where the current President and Head of State, Mr Hakainde Hichilema was not to adhere to the last dying wishes of the sixth Republican President primarily insisting that President Hakainde Hichilema shall be the one who will receive the body,” Lubinda said. “And that President Hakainde Hichilema shall be the first one to view the body. Further, a private Church service will be held upon arrival of the mortal remains at Kenneth Kaunda international Airport Presidential pavilion.”
Lubinda also said the government through the Immigration Department would facilitate the smooth passage to people who wanted to witness the burial of Lungu in South Africa.
