Government has reiterated that it will not challenge the South African Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on the burial of former Sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, effectively ending all legal efforts to have his remains repatriated to Zambia.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana said government has resolved not to appeal to South Africa’s Constitutional Court despite disagreeing with the judgment, saying the matter now rests entirely with the Lungu family.
“Although we disagree with the judgment, we will not be taking this matter any further. We will not be exercising our rights to appeal to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
In line with the judgment, this is now a private matter for the Lungu family to proceed with their desired burial in South Africa,” Mr Kawana said.
ZANIS reports that the Permanent secretary explained that government’s position over the past 12 months had been guided by the desire to honour the late President Lungu in the same manner as Zambia’s other former Heads of State.
Mr Kawana noted that former Presidents Levy Mwanawasa, Frederick Chiluba, Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda were all buried at Embassy Park with full state honours, establishing a national tradition for former presidents.
He said government believed President Lungu should also have been accorded a state burial in Zambia to allow citizens to mourn and honour him in their own country.
The Permanent Secretary described it as unfortunate that the late former Head of State would be buried outside Zambia, adding that government will continue to honour his legacy and contribution to national development.
He further noted that the nation will in due time be notified on government’s decision regarding the prepared burial site for the late President Lungu at Embassy Park.
Meanwhile, church leaders have appealed to the Lungu family to reconsider its decision and allow the remains of the former President to be brought back to Zambia.
Speaking on behalf of the Lusaka Ministers Fellowship and the Zambia Christian Ministers Network, Chairperson Bishop Christopher Mwale said the church remains concerned that the nation may lose the opportunity to bid farewell to one of its former leaders.
Bishop Mwale said church leaders have been engaging both government and the bereaved family since news of President Lungu’s death emerged, in a bid to find common ground on burial arrangements.
He said the church appreciates the efforts made by government, including President Hakainde Hichilema’s willingness to accommodate concerns raised by the family during the negotiations.
“It cannot be a blessing for our former Republican President to be buried in a foreign country as though he did not belong to Zambia.
We appeal to the family, the widow, the children and all those concerned to bring back his remains so that the nation can honour him and give him a dignified send-off,” Bishop Mwale said.
He urged all parties to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation, saying the church remains ready to support efforts aimed at bringing closure to the matter and preserving national unity.
