Cab Sec Official Spokesperson For Lungu Burial

Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has been named as the sole government spokesperson for matters relating to the burial of former President Edgar Lungu.

All government ministries and agencies have been instructed to refrain from making public statements about the late president. This measure is intended to prevent the flow of misinformation around this highly sensitive issue.

President Lungu died in South Africa in June. His family have refused attempts to repatriate the body, saying it was the late President’s wish to be buried in a private ceremony, rather than the state funeral which is customary for all Zambian leaders.

On August 8, the High Court in Pretoria ruled that Lungu’s body should be sent back to Zambia for a state funeral. His family appealed the decision, which has been adjourned indefinitely while South Africa’s constitutional court decides whether to hear the case.

On Thursday the funeral company which is housing President Lungu’s remains said it was worried that the long wait could mean the body starts to seriously decay.

Two Mountain Burial Services Ltd said that the long-term storage was resulting in visible signs of deterioration and it urged both parties to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.