SPECIAL HEARING IN SA COURT TODAY: The case in which the Zambian Government dragged the Lungu family to Court is being heard today THE Lungu family does not want President Hakainde Hichilema near the body of the late president citing alleged persecution, denial of fundamental rights to access health services, and freedom of movement and religion This according to the Lungu family was instigated by President Hichilema in a bid to revenge his past arrests during Lungu’s reign In this case, the Zambian Government wants to repatriate to Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s remains for a burial at Embassy Park following full military honours befitting a former Head of State
The family has argued that, before he died, Lungu left instructions with his dear wife, Mama Esther Lungu, instructions that bar President Hichilema from attending the deceased’s funeral The family further state that since Lungu died with his benefits withdrawn, as per cabinet letter, he should be ferried to Zambia as a commoner and buried like a commoner When the Lungu family sought to bring the body of Lungu back to Zambia, they u-turned after allegations against Government, allegations that the Hichilema led Government attempted to hijack the funeral of the former first family This led the bereaved family to decide to lay late president Edgar Lungu in South Africa
However, on the day Lungu was to be laid to rest, government dragged the family to Court, and managed to secure a Court order barring burial of ECL The Court’s decision in the matter shall set a precedent in the manner in which former leaders’ funerals shall be handled in the future This shall also set a precedent on who has legal rights over a former Head of State’s remains and generally, the role of the family in charting the funeral of their deceased loved ones Source: Zimeye
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Source: Zimeye
