Edgar Lungu's Family Demands the Late Former President's Body Lie in State at His Residence
ECL’s Family Demands the Late Former President’s Body Lie in State at His Residence – Emmanuel Mwamba
The family of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has demanded that his body lie in state at his residence, that church services be held in Ndola, Petauke, and Lusaka, and that they be consulted on the list of speakers a set of conditions that has reportedly led to a suspension of funeral and repatriation talks with the government.
This was revealed by Patriotic Front (PF) Information and Publicity Chairperson Emmanuel Mwamba in a Facebook post.
He stated that following several meetings between the family and government delegations initially led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe and later by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa but that no agreement was reached.
According to Mr. Mwamba, the family further insists that Mr. Lungu, who travelled as a private citizen, should be returned as such, with the state only taking charge of the body upon arrival at either Kenneth Kaunda International Airport or Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, depending on what is agreed.
He disclosed that tensions rose after the family objected to the presence of some government officials during the meetings, which further contributed to the impasse.
Mr. Mwamba reports that the government, on its part, has maintained that the body must be repatriated to Lusaka immediately and that the state should assume full responsibility from the undertaker in South Africa through to Zambia.
He added that while officials indicated the family’s requests would be taken into account, they would not be automatically accepted.
As of now, neither the government nor the family has issued an official statement confirming or denying these developments.
