from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – CRACKS are rapidly widening between the Zambian government and the family of the late president, Edgar Lungu, over his burial.
In a new twist of events, it is alleged the government of President Hakainde Hichilema is demanding to “inspect” and “authenticate” the body of the late president currently kept at a funeral parlour in Pretoria, South Africa, where he died on June 5.
The said request is according to a letter dated 29 July, attributed to VFV Attorneys, reportedly acting on behalf of the Attorney General (AG) of Zambia.
AG Mulilo Kabesha, leading a judiciary allegedly “captured” by Hichilema, recently petitioned the High Court of South Africa to halt the burial of Lungu in South Africa.
The Lungu family prefers the burial in South Africa, to repatriating his remains to Zambia, where the government wants him buried alongside former presidents at a national shrine.
Hichilema and Lungu did not see eye to eye, which worsened when Hichilema defeated the now-deceased in the 2021 election.
So charged is the situation that allegations have emerged Hichilema’s government allegedly attempted to bribe South African judges to rule in the government’s favour and repatriate Lungu to Zambia.
Brian Matambo, self-titled concerned citizen for justice and dignity, said of the recent developments, “This unprecedented request is not only unnecessary, it is a shameful insult to the dignity of a fallen head of state.”
He said the alleged request by the government violated African customs, human decency and all moral logic.
“The family of President Lungu has every right to mourn their loved one in peace, free from intimidation, threats and judicial intrusion.”
“Worse still, by demanding to verify the identity of the body, the Zambian authorities are effectively accusing the South African government and its institutions of dishonesty and complicity.”
The stance by South Africa, under President Cyril Ramaphosa, has quelled a diplomatic disaster between the two countries.
In addition to providing Lungu with health care in sunset years, Ramaphosa’s government has tactically maneuvered through the Zambian quagmire.
It has sent its condolences, and envoy, to Zambia after Lungu’s death, and affirmed its respect to the wishes of the Lungu family.
Albeit controversially, South Africa is tried and tested in diplomacy. It has bigger fish to fry on the international stage, in the form of Israel, United States and Morocco.
Thus, the feud in Zambia and other self-destructing countries in Africa are not a priority for this continental heavyweight.
Matambo feels South Africa is “insulted diplomatically” through such a request by Zambia to “inspect” and “authenticate” Lungu’s body.
Lungu’s death in South Africa has coincided with vigilante groups swarming local health centres and denying foreign nationals access.
– CAJ News