Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the extension of the national mourning period will depend on reasonable conditions agreed upon between the government and the family of former President Edgar Lungu.
Last night, President Hakainde Hichilema declared an end to the period of national mourning for Dr. Lungu, following what he described as a reversal by the late President’s family on the agreed funeral arrangements.
Mrs. Nalumango said President Hichilema did not completely close the door, as he maintained that the remains of the former Head of State should be buried in Zambia.
She was responding to Chama North Member of Parliament, Yotam Mtayachalo during the Vice President’s question time, who wanted to know whether the government would consider extending the mourning period should a consensus be reached with the Lungu family.
“What is reasonable, I think, is up to those who may wish to pursue it. But as of now, what condition has changed for us to discuss an extension?” she added.“
He (President Hichilema) didn’t fully close the door. I think the key word he used was ‘reasonable agreement.’ But for an extension to happen today, it would mean new conditions have been presented by those seeking changes.”
Dr. Lungu passed away on June 5 at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, from undisclosed illness.