It’s 11 months, ECL still unburied

By NATION REPORTER

THAT the country has failed to bury former President Edgar Lungu almost a year after his death in South Africa is not only shameful and embarrassing, but it is also an abomination and a taboo that will haunt the country for many years to come, Godfridah Sumaili has said.

Reverend Sumaili, the former National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister has blamed President Hakainde Hichilema for the continued impasse surrounding the funeral and burial of the former President by allowing the Zambian government to sue his family over burial rights.

Rev Sumaili said in an interview yesterday that it was unacceptable that the immediate past President had not yet been put to rest nearly a year after his death on grounds that his predecessor was determined to preside over the funeral and burial.

“This is a shame to the nation. It is an embarrassment and an affront to our cultural and Christian values,” she said.

Rev Sumaili accused President Hichilema of being responsible for the impasse, stating that his actions had prolonged the burial process and caused distress to both the bereaved family and the nation.

“The one to blame is the President. He has caused pain to the family and to the nation. We have put ourselves under a dark cloud because of what has been done,” Rev Sumaili said.

She also described the situation as abnormal, stating that keeping the remains of a former head of State unburied for such a long period was contrary to tradition and moral expectations.

“It is an abomination to keep a body on the surface for this long. He has not been put to rest, and that is not right. He should have been under the earth many months ago,” she said.

Rev Sumaili also questioned the role of the government in the burial process, stating that the family should have been allowed to take the lead.