By Jane Chanda
PF acting president Given Lubinda says those who called former president Edgar Lungu a thief should continue to do so and should not change now that he is no more.
And Lubinda has taken a firm stance on the mourning period for Lungu and , declared that party members will only gather at designated PF premises to pay their respects.
Speaking during a media briefing at the PF secretariat in Lusaka yesterday, Lubinda strongly rebuked those criticising the former president saying they should stop insulting him
“We that used to call him our president, we can’t reject him today. He continues to be our president,” he said. “Those that called him names must continue to call him a thief and shouldn’t change today now that he is no more. What hypocrisy! Stop it. You are annoying us by saying this. You never recognized him as president. Everything you did, you said he stole, and today with your hypocrisy, you can say immense contribution. Stop it.”
Lubinda said the party had already declared a seven -day national mourning period, rendering the declaration by President Hakainde Hichilema irrelevant to PF members.
“I want to appreciate everyone. Thank you for being found here every day. Yesterday, we heard the Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, telling the whole nation that President Hakainde Hichilema declared seven days of national mourning,” Lubinda said. “We as the Patriotic Front on Thursday declared seven days of national mourning. That is seven days of national mourning. Patrick Kangwa’s declaration does not affect us.” He added.
Lubinda said anyone who would be found with a uniform or regalia of Lungu at premises that were not PF premises, would be known that they were not PF.
He urged all members of the Patriotic Front, members of the party in the Tonse Alliance and all members of genuine political parties to gather only where the PF was found in the provinces, districts and constituencies to mourn the former President.
He said the PF secretariat had been designated as the main funeral center, where a book of condolences had been opened for members to sign and warned that anyone signing the book at premises where the PF was not found, would be signing their own book and not Lungu’s.
“We are going to release more books of condolences which will be sent to all provinces. We shall send books of condolences, and when going to sign in these provinces, first check if the PF mark is on it. All the books will have a PF mark with Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s portrait. When they send you any other books, be careful, we don’t know what they want to use them for,” Lubinda said.
Regarding speculation on social media about PF members going hungry, Lubinda assured that well-wishers and members had donated more food than they could eat, and no one would sleep hungry during the mourning period.
“I want to tell them for them to listen that what we have lost is greater than the food. What we have lost is a leader, so we can’t even feel that hunger,” Lubinda said. “I want to assure them that our well-wishers and members have donated more food than we can eat. No one will sleep hungry as we mourn, and we don’t want their food.”
Lubinda also addressed the issue of luxury during the mourning period, saying that the PF would mourn Lungu with simplicity.
“From when a person is arrested and when he dies a prisoner, Edgar Lungu was made to die suffering, and as we mourn him, we shall mourn him suffering. We don’t want any luxury,” said Lubinda.
