The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has expressed concern over the government’s role in overseeing his burial, following the suspension of funeral proceedings last week due to legal actions initiated by the Patriotic Front (PF).
Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu said the family has no objection to Lungu being buried in Zambia his homeland but doubts the credibility and intentions of President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration to manage the process “with dignity and neutrality.”
“We are not refusing burial in Zambia. But we’re concerned that the current administration cannot be trusted to ensure the late president is laid to rest in a manner that respects his stature and avoids political manipulation,” said Zulu.
This follows a dramatic halt to the burial proceedings last week, after the PF the party Lungu led until his death initiated legal action seeking to block Lungu being buried abroad in South Africa.
Party insiders argued that the government felt sidelined by Lungu’s family in decision-making to bury him in South Africa.
