They never cared about Lungu – Spokesperson slams Zambian govt – SABC News

Spokesperson for the family of the former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, Makebi Zulu, says his death should not be used as a publicity stunt by the Zambian government.

This after the High Court in Pretoria has halted Lungu’s burial.

Zulu says the family wants to give Lungu a dignified burial. He says it was never easy for the former president to find himself in South Africa where he recently died while receiving specialised healthcare treatment.

Zulu spoke to the media on the sidelines of a church service in Hillbrow in Johannesburg.

“How did he come on a commercial flight, flying economy, got to this place, walk through security clearance and immigration like a normal person? Waited for uber outside the airport? Is that a life of a former president? Certainly not! And his death should not be used as a PR stunt by the government of the Republic of Zambia. That story we shall tell in court. And evidence shall be brought before the court. But we will exonerate President Chagwa Lungu and his family,” says Zulu.

Zulu says that the former president had been stripped of all his benefits, including health insurance prior to his passing.

Makebi addressed the media outside the Cathedral of Christ the King church in Hillbrow South Africa, where Lungu’s funeral was expected to take place.

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s burial halted amid legal battle:

He further says this is an opportunity for the family to share their perspective following the court ruling…

“This is an opportunity for us to tell our story – a great story of President Edgar Lungu. How did he lead as a president, serve the nation as the president and thereafter, he was a person betrayed by the system, cast aside by the system, and now in his death they wish to come back and pretend as though they took care of him, pretend that they were good to him, pretend as though he mattered to them. When in fact they never did,” lashes out Zulu.

The High Court in Pretoria halted Lungu’s burial after the Zambian government had filed a lawsuit against Lungu’s family seeking to stop his burial in South Africa today.

It argued that no burial should take place until disputes surrounding the former leader’s final resting place are resolved.

Lungu died earlier this month after he had been receiving medical treatment in the country for an unspecified illness.

Wishes of the late former president must be respected despite court ruling: Zambian Govt MP