By Francis Chipalo
The Democratic Union (DU) says it is a pity that President Hakainde Hichilema appears not to have power over former President Edgar Lungu’s funeral.
President Hichilema, during his national address last night ended the seven days national mourning that government had initially accorded to Lungu who died on the 5th of June in South Africa.
The national mourning had been extended following the continued impass between government and the Lungu family, including the former ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF) senior members concerning the repatriation of the deceased’s remains from the neighboring country.
As of yesterday, the tussle concerning the funeral clocked 14 days, prompting President Hichilema to end the national mourning for the former President.
Several stakeholders, both locally and internationally, including the South African government expressed concerns over the matter, according to reports from that country’s local media.
This was after the repatriation of Lungu’s remains took a twist at last minute despite officials in SA being ready for the ceremony following a reported agreement between the Zambian government and the Lungu’s.
Reacting to Hichilema’s address, DU president Ackim Anthony Njobvu said it is disheartening and embarrassing to the nation the way things have happened.
Njobvu has said it appears President Hichilema had no option but to cancel the national mourning since the impass between Lungu’s family and government remain unresolved.
The opposition leader has urged the family and government to engage each other so that Lungu can be given a dignified send-off befitting his status.
“I feel pity for the President and I think it is a heavy load for him. He can’t do anything since the body is in another country. He can’t use his powers. I feel we need to pray for him to be strengthened,” Njobvu added.
Meanwhile, Zambians have taken to social media, praising Hichilema’s Thursday night address.
The President assured citizens that Lungu would be buried from Zambia, his country.
It has generally been observed that the battle for Lungu’s funeral arrangements has caused tension in the country, with the ruling party alleging that some members of the former ruling PF want to take advantage of Lungu’s demise to incite Zambians to rise against President Hichilema and the UPND government.
Government has since warned that all those who would be found wanting, nor found to have broken the law during the funeral period would be brought to book once Lungu is laid to rest.
