Lungu family free to bury in Zambia privately without seeking government approval – Kawana

Following the Lungu family’s decision to bury the former president in South Africa, Kawana said the burial arrangements have become a private matter for the Lungu family, who may proceed with their preferred burial plans in South Africa.

However, he added that the Lungu family is free to hold a private funeral in Zambia without seeking approval from government should they choose to do so.

“Government’s year-long involvement was driven by precedence. All of Zambia’s deceased former presidents have been laid to rest at Embassy Park with full state honours.”

“Government’s involvement over the past year was motivated by its desire to honour former President Lungu in line with the established national practice,” Kawana said.

Meanwhile, Kawana said the prepared burial site at Embassy Park in Lusaka, intended for Zambia’s former Heads of State, now hangs in uncertainty.

“Government is yet to issue a directive on the future of the burial site that had been prepared at Embassy Park for former Sixth Republican President Edgar Lungu and will in due course inform the nation on what will happen to the burial ground,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary noted that government had hoped to provide the Zambian people with an opportunity to mourn and honour the former President within their own country, but acknowledged that the family had chosen a different course.

He said Zambia has historically supported the repatriation of citizens and leaders who die away from home so that they may be buried among their own people.

Kawana added that government will maintain Lungu’s status in national memory.

“Former President Lungu will continue to be recognised as a former Head of State during future national remembrance activities, in keeping with the dignity of the office he held,” stated Kawana.