from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) -THE Zambian government has welcomed the South African Constitutional Court’s throwing out the appeal by the family of the late president, Edgar Lungu, to set aside the Gauteng High Court’s ruling to repatriate the remains to Zambia.
This paves way for his burial at Embassy Park in Zambia, against the wishes of the family of the deceased.
Patrick Kangwa, Secretary to the Zambian Cabinet, noted the decision by the Constitutional Court.
“On behalf of the government, we want to thank the court for its timely consideration of the matter,” he said.
Kangwa said while the government respected the court’s decision, it remained committed to working with Lungu’s family to reach an arrangement that took into consideration their wishes and interests, but taking into account the rights of the government.
“Our position is unchanged. The late president deserves a dignified funeral in keeping with the stature of his office.”
Kangwa thanked citizens for their understanding at this time and avoiding inflammatory comments.
“Now is the time for all of us to keep the Lungu family in our thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of the former president.”
Lungu died in South Africa in June, aged 68.
He was seeing medical help. Lungu was president from 2015 to 2021.
– CAJ News