Confusion reigned at Kasama General Hospital Mortuary in the early hours of today when St Paul’s United Church of Zambia (UCZ) officials in Kasama and Taxis drivers differed over burial programme of a deceased person in Kasama.
Taxi drivers blocked the main way to the hospital entrance using taxis for over 40 minutes causing panic to mourners and other people who went to access health services at the institution.
But quick action by Police prevented the situation from worsening.
Kasama Taxis Drivers Association Chairperson Macmillan Mwanya told a ZANIS crew that rushed to the scene that his members were upset after the church leadership failed to incorporate them on burial programme for one of their colleague.
Mr Mwenya pointed out that the association wanted to accord the deceased a special burial ceremony it gives to its members.
And St Paul’s UCZ Boys Brigade Officer Thomas Chitambi described the drivers’ behaviour as barbaric.
Mr Chitambi narrated that the problems rose after the two parties failed to agree on the set burial programme which was instituted by the church and family members at the mortuary.
Scores of on lookers watched in disbelief as the drivers chanted various slogans denouncing the church.
And people talked to expressed disappointment at the manner in which the drivers handled the matter.
Grace Nachula 34 of Chiba village said the drivers should have allowed the Church to execute its duties without interfering.
Mrs Nachula said it was embarrassing and un traditional for people to quarrel over a dead body.
Calm only retained after the church allowed the drivers to perform their usual ceremony under police traffic escort of driving the coffin through new town roads and the central business district of Kasama.
ZANIS
Wow ikali !They did something similar to the mwanawasa incidence of driving the body around before burial.Last joy ride i guess.Mhsrip
Foolish ba kamushi!
“But quick action by Police ….”
You call 40 minutes “quick action”?
What kinda nonsense is that by the taxi drivers anyway, driving ichitumbi around the city for what? This kinda behavior should not be entertained at all costs. Disturbing business and people around for no concrete reason is uncalled for. The police should not have allowed the kaponyas to behave like that!
But ba PF balitumpa, can a job of taxi driver be more important than family & church combined? I can only respect a soldier can be treated or honored like that.
Yaba, am sure it is you uwatumpa. This has noithing to do with PF but the authorities at the district.
A job is a job
all jobs are important.
How many wars have Zambian soldiers fought and won. It’s more dangerous today to be a taxi driver in Zambia than a soldier. Taxidrivers are getting killed in In Zambia every day.
Well done Kasama taxidrivers keep up the good work
Which soldier a zambian soldier who has never fought a war?Even policemen are better since they practice their trade everyday.
This is nonsense. There is no good excuse for such foolish behavior without being considerate of the family that has lost their loved one. It’s not about the church and the taxi drivers. This is about the family that has been affected the most by this death. Am so amazed by this level of stupidity and shallow thinking by these taxi drivers. Ati ba chairperson, listen to his explanation without even condemning the actions of his people. Atase pakaponya aba!
Those taxi drivers are fools! moronic behaviour !!
That is what makes the difference between taxi drivers and I
WHAT A COUNTRY??? SO DID THEY PUT THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THEIR TAXIS?? TYPICAL KAPONYA BEHAVIOR. INSTEAD OF MOURNING THEIR FRIEND, BUSY CAUSING CONFUSION. CAN IMAGINE HOW THE FAMILY FELT.
styopeti chaps..atase