Lungu burial impasse saddens Chief Luembe
By Adrian Mwanza
TRADITIONAL leaders countrywide have tried to find a solution to the impasse on the burial of former president Edgar Lungu but both parties are adamant, Chief Luembe of Nyimba District of Eastern Province has said.
In an interview with The Mast, Chief Luembe said traditional leaders had tried to engage both the family and the government so that they could meet halfway and give the former head of state a dignified send-off, but that all efforts had proved futile.
Lungu died in South Africa on June 5 last year but is yet to be buried because of disagreements between his family and the government over the nature of the funeral and burial.
“Trust me, we have tried by making appeals in the media, but our calls have fallen on deaf ears because both parties have remained adamant and do not want to compromise,” he said.
Chief Luembe said the traditional leadership was not just watching but hoped the outcome would not be disastrous because it would taint the image of the country.
“What is going on is very unfortunate and puts the country in a bad light because Zambia has been a beacon of peace for a long time. Something other countries looked up to,” he said.
Chief Luembe urged both parties to carefully reflect and consider resolving the matter amicably.
“My appeal since Zambia is a Christian nation, we need to pray that this matter is resolved in a Christian manner and not what is happening, which is unheard of,” he said.
On Friday Lungu’s body clocked one year without being buried following his death.
