STATEMENT ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL JUDGEMENT ON PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU’S BURIAL
I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa to set aside the earlier High Court judgement and uphold the wishes of the family of our late Sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
This judgement brings a measure of relief after more than a year of pain, anguish, uncertainty and the endless sorrow that have accompanied this difficult, embarrassing chapter in our nation’s history. Finally, late President Lungu will be laid to rest in accordance with his wishes and those of his family.
The Government Of The Republic Of Zambia has noted this judgement through the Attorney General of Zambia’s statement which says this matter will not be taken any further. Beneath this, there is a dichotomy between the position taken by the Zambian Government now and that of the past 12 months which lies in the pent up emotions and feelings. What was needed should have been in the spirit of give and take by the government to the Lungu family, grounded on honesty and profound sorrow. That way we would have seen our shared values in honoring the dead, preserved and admired by future generations.
The current generations and the generations to come may be impacted adversely by this harsh litigation against the beloved Lungu family especially that it may remain a subject of debate for many years in the Southern Africa region and indeed Africa as a whole.
The debate as to where the late President should be buried is now left with the Lungu family and it is worth noting that we know very well that South African nationals and others within Southern African Development Community (SADC) who died here in Zambia during the liberation struggle against apartheid were buried here in Zambia, then later exhumed when South Africa got its independence and taken for re-burial in South Africa. The acceptance by all Zambians to bury or have graves for South Africans was done in the spirit of Ubuntu.
The turbulence in the world today must make us realize that standing together as nations or as a region is more important than dominance and supremacy. Therefore, in today’s world, any unrealistic sense of self-esteem or group-esteem makes us forget that tomorrow when things are not in your favor you may need the same neighboring countries. It is indeed my profound prayer that our Almighty God may help people gifted with supremacy to gain empathy for the weak, bereaved family, and suffering people. In this way the future generations will learn to do good at all times.
Finally, above all, this moment is about dignity, closure and healing. After more than a year of mourning without burial which has weighed heavily on the family and the Zambian nation, both the Lungu family our nation can finally find peace. The healing for the family is a long and gradual process as only time and our Almighty God may ease this pain.
May Almighty God continue to strengthen the Lungu family and may the Spirit and Soul of our late President rest in the Power and eternal peace of our Almighty God.
Eng. Chanda Katotobwe
President
Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP)
STATEMENT ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL JUDGEMENT ON PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU’S BURIAL
