By Brian Matambo, Sandton, South Africa
Hon. Makebi Zulu, legal counsel and spokesperson for the family of the late former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has made it clear: the family will not compromise on dignity. If a private burial is the only way to ensure it, they are prepared to proceed without the Zambian government’s involvement.
Speaking on South Africa’s Newzroom Africa, Zulu said the Pretoria High Court’s order to hand over the former president’s remains to the Zambian government for repatriation and a state funeral undermines the family’s rights and disregards their agreed concessions.
“The family’s goal is simple, a dignified send-off,” Zulu said. “That cannot be guaranteed if the very people accused of violating his rights in life are put in charge of his burial in death.”
DIGNITY OVER POLITICS
Zulu accused the court of taking a narrow view, focusing on a “purported agreement” while ignoring the constitutional right to dignity, the authority of the next of kin, and the fact that President Lungu died as a private citizen after the Hichilema administration stripped him of his former head-of-state benefits.
“You cannot strip him of medical care, security, and all benefits, then suddenly claim public interest in his death,” Zulu argued. “The family, not the state, must decide how he is laid to rest.”
PRIVATE BURIAL A REAL OPTION
While the Zambian government has framed the matter as a state obligation, Zulu drew on international examples, including Nelson Mandela’s funeral, to assert that the office of president does not override family rights.
If the courts ultimately side with the state, Zulu said the family is prepared to proceed with a private burial in South Africa, restricting attendance to only those deemed necessary and ensuring the process reflects the wishes of the late president and his loved ones.
A WILLINGNESS TO WAIT
The appeal process could prolong the stalemate, but Zulu insisted that time is a secondary concern. “If it takes longer, so be it,” he said. “What matters most is dignity, both for the family and for President Lungu. That dignity will not be traded for expedience or political theatre.”
The family’s position now places the focus squarely on the South African Supreme Court of Appeal, which will be asked to decide whether the right to a dignified funeral, as defined by a family, can outweigh a state’s claim to control the burial of a former head of state.Makebi Zulu
Why do you insist on private burial. That is what makes us even more curious. The more we are curious the more we want to see that which is in the casket and the more we can’t agree with you on private burial
You must also be prepared to be either there for a very long time or be in jail. That will be contempt of court. The courts there have ruled to handover the body. You really don’t listen to yourself. Why don’t you want others to see the body?
In Mandela you have cited, no wonder you lose cases, it was a public event, citizens had citizens and journalists had camped outside a heart hospital in Sunnyside till he died. Funeral was in the stadium and body view took place. The military was soul custody of the body.
Even when they went to Qunu, it was the military. It was the actual burying that was restricted.
They did not burry in Lesotho and never forbid apathied tormentors never to come near the body. Poor choice of case citing again! You are misleading both the family and the nation. Can’t you see you are just talking to your kind? Stop it! The nation has been calm. It govt was doing something worse, it is citizens that would have created an uproar. But this one, no one is paying attention apart from your audience. Bring and bury him where he belongs, you can’t hold a former president hostage.
Yes,Makebi has misdirected himselfpn several facts
1.The South African courts ordered surrender of the body to government in the presence of family members.The would be transported under escort by family to be buried at Embassy Park with the full honours customary accorded to all dead former Presidents.Where is the mockery and indignity there?
2.President Lungu was a lawyer and was well aware of law regarding a former President who returns to active politics after retirement.Indeed he is on record having mocked and described the former presidents benefits prescribed by law as”peanuts”.He therefore striped himself of his benefits and government mistreatment
3.President Lungu striped himself of his entitlements as a former PRESIDENT It.can therefore, not be argued that he died as private citizen to be buried as such in a foreign country
4.Makebi Zulu is a idyot who will bring indignity not only to the Lungu family but also to the nation by carelessly letting the body of our former head of state to rot in a morgue with senseless lengthy legal appeals
*…. the body will be transported under escort by family…*
*President Lungu striped himself of benefits and not mistreatment by government..*
Can you please tell us what you mean by “dignity?” You are too young to be playing the country like a yo-yo! Are you under a spell or someone has a gun to your head? What have you eaten, Makebi, that has robbed you your conscience? This is not normal! This is mischievous! Iyee!
This Makebi boy is too pompous. He is misleading these poor women during this dark period. What he is doing is totally insane and very wrong.
Meanwhile Makebi is fattening his bank account with his senseless legal advice to the poor family members. Remember he’s a lawyer, the longer he prolongs this issue, the more money in his pocket. His main interest is nothing other than money.
Which dignity with a lady that labels the anatomy of a human being.