from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – TENSIONS are rising in both countries as the matter between the Zambian government and the family of the late president, Edgar Lungu, resumes at the Gauteng High Court in South Africa on Monday (today).
The Pretoria Division of the court is to deliberate on the matter set to be a pivotal moment for Zambia.
No late Zambian president has been buried outside the country. This could change if the court rules in favour of the family of Lungu, which wants to bury him in South Africa, where he died on June 5.
This is amid a deadlock with the government of his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, which wants Lungu repatriated and buried at a shrine where former presidents are interred.
The family was to bury him in South Africa last month but on the eve of the exercise, Zambia Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, successfully appealed to the South African court to halt the process.
This past weekend, Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) alleged plans by the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of organising demonstrations at the High Court in Pretoria.
PF alleged UPND party officials associated with Zambia’s State House from Lusaka were behind the reported demos.
Lungu’s party quoted one of the civil society grouping in Pretoria revealing that officials from Lusaka were offering $5 000 for someone to bring 20 South African youths with banners carrying messages demanding that the remains of Edgar Lungu be repatriated.
Recently, a recording leaked, purportedly featuring a ruling party-aligned faction of PF leader, Robert Chabinga, and Minister of Community Development, Doreen Sefuke Mwamba, allegedly revealing Hichilema tasked Chabinga with an assignment to bribe judges in South Africa.
The audio also alleged Chabinga was tasked with organising public protests to raise perceived awareness against the burial of Lungu in South Africa.
Last month, a group calling itself Progressive Forces of South Africa, allegedly organised by Chabinga and others, held a press conference in Sandton and demanded that the remains of the late president be repatriated to Lusaka.
South African police are expected to maintain significant presence in the High Court to quell any upheaval.
This comes at a time when some South African groups are marching against the presence of other nationals from other African countries.
Lungu died while on treatment in South Africa coinciding with militant groups including March and March and Operation Dudula denying the foreign nationals access to clinics and hospitals.
– CAJ News