Zambia: Edgar Lungu's family halts return of his body from South Africa
According to family spokesperson Makebi Zulu, the return was suspended after the Zambian government allegedly issued a funeral programme without consulting the family.
The family of the late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has stopped the transportation of his remains from South Africa, citing a breach of funeral arrangements by the government.
Lungu's remains were expected to arrive in Zambia on Wednesday, June 18, via a private charter, but according to family spokesperson Makebi Zulu, the return was suspended after the Zambian government allegedly issued a funeral programme without consulting the family.
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The development comes despite the two parties reaching an agreement earlier this week over key burial arrangements, including the choice of mourning venue, who would repatriate his body from South Africa and who should preside over the funeral.
"Sadly so, that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return today," Zulu said in South Africa on Wednesday, according to the BBC.
Despite accusing the government of failing to honour its part of the funeral agreement, Zulu said the family remains optimistic that the situation will be resolved and that the deceased will be repatriated and given a proper burial in Zambia.
"We hope that someday, his remains will be repatriated back home and buried," he said.
Before the development, which the Zambian government has yet to comment on, Lungu's body was supposed to be received with full military honours upon repatriation on Wednesday.
His body was expected to lie in state at his residence, then be taken to a conference centre in the capital, Lusaka, for three days starting Thursday, allowing the public to pay their respects.
A state funeral had also been planned for Sunday, June 22, with official mourning ending on June 23.
When the family and Zambian government initially came to a consensus, they announced that Lungu would be laid to rest next Monday, although it remained unclear whether his final resting place would be the official presidential burial site or his private residence.
With the latest standoff, it remains to be seen whether the ongoing impasse will be resolved in time to align with the dates set for the state funeral.
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