Government Calls for Dignified Send-Off for President Lungu; Rebuffs Misinformation
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has called on the public to reject misinformation surrounding the death of former Republican President Edgar Lungu and instead focus on a period of solemn reflection and respectful mourning.
The Minister for Information told a press conference on Monday that government is working closely with Mr Lungu’s family to ensure that all funeral arrangements align with his wishes as he stressed the importance of giving the late President a “befitting and dignified send-off”.
The government has declared a seven-day period of national mourning for the late president from Sunday 8 June to Saturday 14 June.
Mr Mweetwa said it was unfortunate that some members of Mr Lungu’s party, the Patriotic Front, were using his death as an opportunity for airing grievances and political point scoring in what he termed a “political fiesta”.
The minister called on all Zambians – particularly those in positions of authority – to exercise restraint and uphold Zambia’s values as a Christian nation.
The message was later echoed by Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu, who told media “We must mourn together as one people… Mr Lungu’s death calls for solemnity, unity, love and compassion.”
Mr Mweetwa also addressed allegations by PF officials that Mr Lungu’s death could have been avoided had he not faced delays in receiving his medical treatment. The government spokesperson clarified that there had never been any restrictions on the former president’s travel.
Furthermore, he clarified that Mr Lungu had received all the benefits to which he was entitled as a former President while he was retired from politics. After announcing his return to lead the Kwacha and later Tonse Alliances, President Lungu then forfeited these benefits, Mweetwa explained. He added that Mr Lungu is the only former president in Zambia’s history to never have his immunity from criminal prosecution removed.
Finally, Mweetwa categorically denied reports that the late president had been poisoned or that Zambian agents stormed a South African medical facility to retrieve his remains.
“If any such incident occurred, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is not aware and certainly did not authorize it,” he said, condemning the allegations as “highly misplaced and a misrepresentation of the Zambian way of handling national grievances.”
“As a country, we cannot allow inflammatory statements to promote anarchy. We call upon all Zambians to remain calm and unified during this difficult period, and to give our late former President the respect and honour he deserves,” Mweetwa concluded.