Let’s pray for ECL family to heal – Kabesha

By BARNABAS ZULU

ATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha has called on Zambians to pray for the family of late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu so that they can heal from the loss of their loved one two months after the Zambian government sued the family demanding the release and repatriation of his mortal remains.
Mr Kabesha, State Counsel has made the call a day before the South African High Court is due to deliver its landmark judgement on whether former President Lungu remains should be released and repatriated for burial in Zambia.
Mr Lungu died in South Africa on June 5, 2025 at Med Clinic in Johannesburg. His burial could not take place because of a standoff between the family and the Zambian government, which resulted in a legal suit.
Speaking during a press briefing in South Africa yesterday, Mr Kabesha stated that there was need to pray for Mr Lungu’s family so that they can heal and move on.
“The African arrangement, the Zambian arrangement is when you bury someone, then you come to closure. Other issues will of course follow. There are issues that are attached to the person who has passed on and how the family is looked after,” Mr Kabesha said.
“That is why we call upon members of the public, the Zambians and other friends internationally to continue praying for the family so that they heal. That is what is important,” he said.
He stated that there would be no winner or loser in the case, as the court would today merely provide guidance to both the Zambian government and the family of late former President Lungu.
“At the end of the day tomorrow (today), when judgement is given, I don’t think there will be a winner and a loser. But the courts will just be giving us what is the best.
And I believe the courts have looked at the evidence, which is on record and the court is equal to the task to look at what is the best for both parties,” he said.
“For the Zambian government, the best is to give Mr Lungu, a dignified burial.”