Zambia: Kenneth Kaunda buried in Heads of State cemetery against his family's wishes
Boston President Mokgweetsi Masisi pays last respects to former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda during the state funeral in Lusaka on July 2, 2021. AFP - -
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In Zambia, the High Court of Justice rejects the appeal filed by one of Kenneth Kaunda's sons in his standoff with the government around the place of the burial of the father of independence.
The judge decided to authorize the burial on Wednesday July 7 of Kenneth Kaunda in the cemetery of former heads of state, in Embassy Park, opposite the seat of government.
The day before, members of his family had requested that he be buried with his wife.
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In a letter, the High Court judge said he understood the motivations of Kenneth Kaunda's family to want a ceremony in the privacy.
But add that the general interest must prevail.
It is therefore a public ceremony
which was held this Wednesday, July 7 at Lusaka Cathedral in the presence of President Edgar Lungu, dignitaries and members of the opposition.
And it was in the cemetery of former heads of state that
the father of independence
was buried, in accordance with the wishes of the government, but against those of part of his family.
His son Kawecha had indeed filed an appeal on Tuesday to demand that his father be buried with his wife Betty Kaunda, appeal finally rejected.
But Kenneth Kaunda's youngest son, Tilyenji, still wants to believe it.
According to him, there should be two burials.
Burial Wednesday at the presidential square, and Thursday or Friday, exhumation then new burial in the family cemetery at State Lodge.
The government chose the decision of the high court, without taking into account the various grievances of the family.
► To read also: What remains of the spirit of Kaunda in Zambia?
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