Decision yet to be made whether remains will be reburied at State Lodge
By NOEL IYOMBA and KETRA KALUNGA
THE decision as to whether late President Kenneth Kaunda should be left to rest at Embassy Park or his remains be reburied next to his wife Betty at State Lodge still hangs in the balance.
Colonel Panji Kaunda, the first born son of Dr Kaunda said talks with Government on the matter had not yet been concluded.
Presently there is no law that compels the Kaunda family to bury the late President at Embassy Park which according to law is designated as a National Monument and not officially designated a Presidential burial site.
And former Finance Minister, Katele Kalumba said a law should be enacted which designate Embassy Park as an official Presidential burial site to avoid confusion in future.
Earlier in the week, another son of Dr Kaunda, Kaweche, unsuccessfully challenged the burial of his father at Embassy Park, saying that the late President’s wish was to be buried next to his wife Betty at State Lodge.
Presidents Levy Mwanawasa, Frederick Chiluba and Michael Sata were buried at Embassy Park after Government and relatives agreed to their burial at the site.
However, Dr Kaunda outlived his wife, Betty who died on September 18, 2012 and was buried at State Lodge in Lusaka, which gave him an opportunity to express his wish to be buried next to her.
When President Mwanawasa died in office in July 2008, the government had not designated a burial place for persons that had held the office of President.
By Statutory Instrument No. 64 of 2009, dated September 18, 2009, made pursuant to Section 27 of the National Heritage Conservation Commission Act, Chapter 173 of the Laws of Zambia, the said Embassy Park was officially designated as a National Monument.
Meanwhile, Dr Kalumba said there was need for a legal provision to designate Embassy Park as the official Presidential burial site.
He said when a person ascends to the position of President, he becomes a national asset and ceases to be the property of a family hence must be accorded a befitting burial.
Dr. Kalumba said by virtue of being a national asset, the site where a President should be buried should not be in a system of family lineage.
He said Dr Kaunda was an icon, therefore it was prudent for Government to bury him at a site with a national character.
“There is need for a law that will designate Embassy Park as an official Presidential burial site to avoid confusion. Presidents are not ordinary people hence should be buried at a place which is befitting of their status,” Dr. Kalumba said.
