By 
Patriotic Front (PF) acting president, Given Lubinda, has accused the United Party for National Development (UPND) and its leadership of frustrating the repatriation and burial of former President Edgar Lungu in Zambia by reneging on a previously agreed arrangement.
Lubinda, who also chairs the Tonse Alliance, said President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration had failed to respond to allegations by Lungu’s family that the government breached the agreed funeral arrangements — a failure that ultimately led to the family’s decision to bury the late head of State in South Africa.
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, Lubinda said the government’s silence on the family’s claims amounted to an admission that it had broken its commitment.
“In all sincerity, who would be happy to have their friend or relative buried in exile? It’s deeply unreasonable and costly for both the family and the nation. We were eager to receive the body of our departed president. This outcome is profoundly painful,” he said.
Lubinda noted that many Zambians had hoped to bid farewell to the late president on home soil, with expectations of a unifying national moment.
“As Tonse Alliance, we would have naturally preferred that his remains be buried in Zambia, giving all of us the chance to pay our last respects,” he said.
Lubinda described the family’s decision to bury Lungu in South Africa as regrettable but understandable, citing what he called a lack of government support and clarity surrounding the funeral proceedings.
He also criticised President Hichilema’s recent national address for failing to acknowledge the family’s concerns, adding that neither Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, nor Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, had offered a rebuttal to the family’s allegations.
“The failure by three senior government officials — Cornelius Mweetwa, Patrick Kangwa, and the President himself — to dispute the family’s assertions is telling,” Lubinda said.
He further dismissed claims that the seven-day national mourning period had simply ended, insisting that President Hichilema had the authority to extend it, as has been done in the past.
“To say mourning ended because seven days expired is a mockery. President Hichilema could have extended it had he wanted to,” Lubinda said.
Despite the controversy, he called on all Tonse Alliance members and Zambians to mourn the late president peacefully and with dignity.
“This is ultimately a matter between the family and the government. We will not interfere, but we deeply regret that our former president had to be buried in exile,” he said.
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