KABIMBA DISMISSES CLAIMS THAT LUNGU REJECTED HH’S PRESENCE AT HIS FUNERAL
…..Economic front party leader urges unity and respect ahead of edgar lungu’s funeral.
Lusaka, Zambia, June 16 — Economic Front Party (EFP) president Wynter Kabimba has publicly challenged claims suggesting that the late Sixth Republican President Edgar Lungu did not want President Hakainde Hichilema to attend his funeral.
Speaking during an interview on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview, Kabimba described such assertions as false and misrepresentative of Lungu’s true character. “I do not believe that ECL would have said that if he died, he does not want HH anywhere near his funeral, I cannot believe that. That does not reflect his character,” Kabimba emphasized.
Kabimba, who served as Justice Minister during part of Lungu’s tenure, stated that in all his post-presidency interactions with Lungu, he never observed bitterness or hatred toward President Hichilema. While acknowledging that Lungu had grievances regarding his and his family’s treatment after leaving office, Kabimba insisted the former president never expressed any hateful sentiments towards his successor.
The EFP leader called on the funeral organizing committee to focus on promoting unity and dignity rather than allowing the occasion to be overtaken by political tensions. “This is a time to honor the presidency and the man, not a time for division,” Kabimba said.
Meanwhile, government and the Lungu family have reached an agreement for the repatriation of the former president’s remains from South Africa on Wednesday, June 18. A key part of the agreement stipulates that both parties must mutually agree on who will speak during the funeral proceedings.
However, Kabimba expressed concern that limiting speakers risks turning what should be a national event into a private ceremony. He appealed to the Lungu family to reconsider their position to ensure that the funeral remains open to all Zambians who wish to pay their final respects.
The late President Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, passed away while receiving treatment in South Africa. His funeral is expected to draw thousands of mourners from across the nation.
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Wynter, yesterday you spoke and articulated issues well. You are now an example of how former leaders must unfold issues. You were a bad man during your time though, but this is the past now.
Akawawawa waaaa no longer making sense PF criminals
Its a lie perpetrated by spectators itching for a fight
I completely agree with Wynter Kabimba; those were my thoughts as well. Former Sixth President Edgar Chagwa Lungu did not state that President Hakainde Hichilema should refrain from attending his funeral. It is regrettable that the inner circle around the former first family took it upon themselves to misrepresent Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu with false information.
Wynter Kabimba approaches political and social discussions with an analytical and objective mindset, expressing his thoughts candidly without bias. Similarly, when Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu rose to power, many praised Mama Easter Lungu for her dedication and devout Christian faith. She maintained her composure and behaved appropriately even while facing legal challenges. I have doubts about her endorsement of the claims made by Makebi Zulu. The former first family was left helpless and heartbroken during the passing of Former Sixth President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, which provided an opportunity for individuals like Makebi Zulu and other senior PF officials to disseminate misleading statements and propaganda fueled by their animosity towards President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration. The manner in which Makebi Zulu articulated his statements suggests that they did not accurately represent the character of Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Following the death of Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the PF sought to exploit the situation to garner sympathy by issuing exaggerated false statements aimed at creating division at the cost of national unity.
People should utilize the passing of Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu as a means to reinforce national unity and uphold the One Zambia One Nation motto. In life, when you feel wronged and mistreated, maintaining composure and responding with kindness rather than reacting impulsively fosters character and integrity.
Mr. Winter Kabimba was on point. If indeed ECL had made such wishes, Makebi Zulu should have produced evidence of either a signed document by ECL or audio for all to watch and see. Otherwise, it was just hearsay which Makebi as a lawyer knows or ought to have known is inadmissible as evidence.
In Bemba we say, “umutwe wamunobe chalo chimbi”. How can Kambimba doubt ECL’s wishes as told to us by the bereaved family when he is not even ECL’s family member? What is the basis of his claim to the knowledge of ECL’s wishes? The fact that he knew and interacted with ECL did not make him have access to his thoughts, wishes and beliefs which are purely private.