Withdraw Lungu burial case, HH urged
By Tony Nkhoma
YOU have tried enough, it’s time to let go of Edgar Lungu’s body, the Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) executive director Isaac Mwanza has urged President Hakainde Hichilema.
Mwanza said given the precedence of family wishes being prioritised in South African case law and the independence of their courts, it’s unlikely the verdict will favour the government’s position.
Mwanza said Hichilema was escalating the feud with the family of Lungu and his supporters and must immediately withdraw the court battle over the burial of the former president.
“The government’s attempt to stop Edgar Lungu’s burial in South Africa is escalating a feud with the Lungu family and his supporters, who want no government involvement in the burial,” he said.
Mwanza said the Lungu family and his supporters had made their wishes clear over the funeral which should be respected.
“While Mr Hichilema’s intentions to bring the Lungu’s body back to Zambia for burial are commendable, taking court action to dictate burial arrangements is inadvisable if healing is to take place,” Mwanza said.
He said the claim of public interest by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha in this polarised situation was debatable.
“We believe the President has done enough to try and bring the body back to Zambia, and it’s time to let go. We urge President Hichilema to reconsider his government’s approach and advise the Attorney General to withdraw the court action,” Mwanza said.
He said Hichilema should focus on healing and uniting the nation,
The South African court’s prompt response to the legal battle was commendable.
Mwanza said it was time the United Party for National Development (UPND) prioritised national healing and unity over the court battle.
Lungu died in South Africa on June 5 where he was receiving treatment but a bitter feud between his family and the Zambian government has delayed his repatriation and burial.
The matter is now in the High Court of South Africa.
