Edgar Lungu’s Funeral Delayed Due to Feud with Country’s Current Leader

(3 Minutes Read)

Hichilema has offered his condolences to the family and said it should be a time for the country to show unity. Information Minister and government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the government “remains hopeful” that the issue will be resolved

The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu delayed the repatriation of his body from South Africa for a second time in a feud with the country’s current leader over the details of the funeral.

The family’s lawyer said that they would not bring Lungu’s body home as planned on Wednesday because they don’t want President Hakainde Hichilema to attend Lungu’s funeral. Lungu and Hichilema were bitter political rivals.

Lungu, who was 68, died in a South African hospital of an undisclosed illness on June 5 and was meant to be honoured with a state funeral, which Hichilema was due to preside over. Lungu family lawyer Makebi Zulu said it was Lungu’s wish that Hichilema “should not be anywhere near” his body when he is buried.

Lungu’s body was initially due to be repatriated last weekend following seven days of national mourning, but the family didn’t allow that because of disagreements over the funeral program. His body was then due to return home to the southern African country this week for a procession ahead of a rescheduled state funeral on Monday.

Read Also:

https://trendsnafrica.com/row-over-funeral-of-late-zambian-president-edgar-lungu-continues/

Hichilema has offered his condolences to the family and said it should be a time for the country to show unity. Information Minister and government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the government “remains hopeful” that the issue will be resolved.