Chabinga condem illegal funeral gathering

Robert Chabinga, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has urged the members of the Patriotic Front (PF) to honor the official State funeral plans for the late Sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, as stated by the government.

Mr Chabinga emphasised that Belvedere Lodge is the officially designated venue for the funeral gathering, warning that any parallel arrangements—such as the one at the PF Secretariat—are unauthorized and should be viewed as acts of non-compliance.

“There is a need for unity, restraint, and dignity during and after the seven-day national mourning period declared by President Hakainde Hichilema,” Mr Chabinga told ZNBC News in a walk-in interview.

He condemned attempts by certain PF members to politicise the former president’s passing, stating that it is disheartening to see his death being used as a tool for political bargaining.

Mr Chabinga further cautioned against repeating mistakes of the past that derailed opportunities for national dialogue and reconciliation.

He urged all party members to refrain from making divisive or inflammatory statements and instead focus on honouring President Lungu in a respectful and united manner.

The opposition leader also appealed to the former First Family to help preserve the dignity of the funeral proceedings by resisting efforts by political actors seeking to hijack the arrangements for personal or political gain.

GroundTruth Zambia | 8th June, 2025.