from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA would welcome an intermediary role by Zimbabwe in the standoff between the former’s government and the family of the late president, Edgar Lungu, over his burial.
This is according to President Hakainde Hichilema, during a meeting with Zimbabwean Second Vice President, Kembo Mohadi, at the State House in Lusaka.
During the meeting, Hichilema meanwhile disclosed the government had sent a delegation to South Africa, where Lungu died in June, to resume engagements with the deceased’s family regarding the burial.
“The most important thing is that we hope to resolve it (deadlock). Our team is there (in South Africa) engaging the family,” Hichilema said.
“Any support we can get, Your Honour, from family members such as yourselves would be appreciated to help us put closure to this unfortunate situation,” he said, addressing Mohadi.
By “family members”, Hichilema was referring to the close ties among countries in the Southern African bloc.
Hichilema said the Zambian people wanted their former president, who he succeeded in 2021, to be laid to rest in his home country, alongside the other five former presidents.
Lungu and Hichilema were fierce rivals and the deceased’s family claimed among Lungu’s last wishes were that Hichilema not preside over his funeral.
The family almost buried him in South Africa until the Zambian government successfully appealed at the courts in South Africa.
The matter is now before the Constitutional Court.
Zimbabwe, neighbour to both South Africa and Zambia, has been sucked into the crisis after it was reported Lungu entered South Africa on a diplomatic passport issued by Zimbabwe.
The claims have been dismissed.
Mohadi has been in Zambia to inspect sites where Zimbabwean liberation heroes were buried as well as explore the strengthening of bilateral ties.
Zambia, among the Southern African countries first to gain independence, was a base for some liberation movements from neighbouring countries to fight colonialism.
– CAJ News