from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE delay in the repatriation and subsequent burial of the late president, Edgar Lungu, is degenerating into arguably the worst national crisis in Zambia’s six decade-long history.
This is exactly two weeks since his demise outside borders where he was seeking medical treatment.
After a unifying past few days when a resolution had at last been reached between the deceased’s family and the government, it is back to square one as a fresh wrangle has broken out between the feuding parties.
An earlier compromise had paved way for Lungu to be repatriated from South Africa on Wednesday, the repatriation hit a snag as the family accused the government of President Hakainde Hichilema of reneging on agreements reached recently and allegedly sought to take centre stage in the burial of the former head of state.
Zambians waited in vain at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and beyond to no avail.
In South Africa, at the Lanseria International Airport the local military had to unroll the red carpet it had rolled out for the repatriation after it emerged the plane scheduled to leave the facility to Zambia would no longer depart.
Prior to the expected, now null repatriation, the Lungu family hastily arranged a press conference to air their grievances.
According to the family, they are against the programme reportedly entailing processes that were not agreed on during the compromise earlier reached with the government.
This includes Hichilema being at the airport to welcome the body and preside over a church service in an unstated location within the airport.
Lungu’s family says the barring of members of the public from the airport to receive the remains was not part of the original agreement as is Hichilema being the first person to view the body of Lungu on Thursday.
“For this reason and many more, the family finds it very difficult that the government would stick to the end of their agreement and has resolved, sadly, that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return today (Wednesday). It is our hope that someday, his remains will be repatriated back home and buried.”
Family spokesperson, Makebi Zulu, read the family statement.
Cornelius Mweetwa, chief government spokesperson, described the recurrent deadlock as “one of the most challenging moments in our nation’s history.”
Patrick Kangwa, Secretary to the Cabinet, said Hichilema was expected to address the nation in the coming days following the “unexpected delay” in the repatriation of the remains of Lungu.
“At an appropriate moment, the President will address the nation and provide further guidance. Until then, the Government will continue its consultations with the family, mindful of the need to accord our late former President the honour commensurate with his office and service.”
Coincidentally, this week also marks commemorations of the death of former presidents, Kenneth Kaunda (founding president, died June 17, 2021) and his successor, Frederick Chiluba (June 18, 2011).
– CAJ News