By Staff Reporter
Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa says the government is still committed to working with the late president Edgar Lungu’s family to reach an arrangement that takes into account the wishes and interests of the family.
And the Constitutional Court of South Africa yesterday dismissed an application by the Lungu family to directly appeal a High Court ruling that the late president’s remains be repatriated to Zambia for burial.
Early this month, that country’s High Court ruled in favour of the Zambian government allowing it to repatriate the remains for burial in Zambia.
But the Lungu family, led by former first lady Esther Lungu, petitioned the Constitutional Court for permission to directly appeal the decision to that court.
Esther and six others who include Bertha Lungu, Tasila Lungu, Dalieso Lungu, Chiyeso Lungu, Charles Phiri and Makebi Zulu argued that the High Court had disregarded the family’s constitutional and legal rights under both South African and Zambian law.
But in yesterday’s ruling, the ConCourt stated that no case had been made out for a direct appeal and consequently denied the application.
“The Constitutional Court has considered the application for leave to appeal directly to it and has concluded that no case has been made out for a direct appeal. Consequently, leave to appeal must be refused,” read the order in part.
And reacting to the ruling in a statement, Kangwa who is also the government appointed spokesperson on the Lungu funeral, stated that the government had taken note of the Constitutional Court ruling concerning the burial of the late president.
He stated that the government position had not changed.
“Our position is unchanged. The late president deserves a dignified funeral in keeping with the stature of his office,” Kangwa stated.
He thanked citizens for their understanding at this time and avoiding inflammatory comments.
Kangwa also urged Zambians to pray for the family.
“Now is the time for all us to keep the Lungu family in our thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of the former president,” stated Kangwa.
