TIME TO HEAL – CHURCH

By MUBITA KATETE and BARNABAS ZULU

… Rev Sumaili commends Government for accepting the court ruling, urges Zambians to embrace unity, forgiveness and national healing.

THERE is need for the country to unite, embrace peace and reconcile now that the impasse surrounding the funeral and burial of late former President Edgar Lungu has been settled by the South African Supreme Court of Appeal, says the Bishops Council of Zambia.

Its verdict has overturned the decision of the High Court in Gauteng that ordered the family to surrender the mortal remains to the Zambian government for repatriation and burial.

And Reverend Godfridah Sumaili, the former Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs has commended the government for accepting the court ruling on the burial impasse of former President Lungu and has urged Zambians to embrace unity, forgiveness and national healing.

The Supreme Court of Appeal on Tuesday overturned the High Court ruling that had allowed the Zambian government to repatriate the remains of late former President Lungu’s remains for a State funeral and burial in Zambia.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Bishops Council of Zambia (BCZ) vice president Agness Pushi says Government should be commended for deciding not to appeal the verdict.

“We commend the government for respecting the decision of the court and choosing not to pursue further legal action in this matter. The church is praying for the Lungu family and we have hope that the burial arrangements would proceed peacefully and with dignity,” Bishop Pushi said.

“Our prayers are with the Lungu family, and we hope that everything will go well as they make arrangements to lay their loved one to rest with dignity,” she said.

Rev Sumaili has also welcomed Government’s decision to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal and has called on the authority to begin preaching unity, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation

“I am glad that our Attorney General, State Counsel Mulilo Kabesha, has come out saying that they will not appeal, and that they will accept the judgement. It is the correct action to do,” Rev Sumaili said.

Rev Sumaili appealed to the public to give the Lungu family space and privacy as they consult on the burial arrangements for the late former president.

“The matter is now in the hands of the family, who have to decide how they want to bury the late president, how they want to do it, where, and when. Let us give them time to reflect and make a decision,” she said.

She explained that former First Lady Esther Lungu had expressed a desire for her husband to be buried alongside his parents and other relatives.

Rev Sumaili also called for the development of a clear national policy to guide the handling of the death and burial of former presidents.

She also urged the Church and citizens to continue supporting the former First Family during the mourning period.

Mr Lungu died in South Africa in June last year while receiving medical treatment. The end of the legal dispute between Government and the former First Family is expected to pave the way for his burial.

Ends.