Belvedere lodge remains empty as mourners opt for PF venue

GIDEON NYENDWA

TWO days after the government announced that the official funeral gathering for the late President Edgar Lungu would be held at Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area, the venue has remained largely deserted, raising questions about coordination and public sentiment.

A check at Belvedere Lodge between 11:00 and 16:00 hours yesterday revealed a quiet atmosphere with no one coming to the venue.

While gazebos and chairs had been set up in preparation for mourners, only journalists were present, waiting in vain for any government official to arrive and sign the book of condolence.

In stark contrast, hundreds of mourners continued to gather at the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretariat, where activity has remained consistent since the announcement of President Lungu’s death.

The Secretariat has emerged as the de facto mourning ground for Lungu’s supporters and former party members.

A visit to the PF secretariat on the same day found several opposition leaders and former PF officials present, including Zambia Must Prosper president Kelvin Bwalya (KBF), New Congress Party president Peter Chanda, and former PF Secretary General Davies Mwila.

The atmosphere was solemn yet energized, with political discussions and tributes flowing throughout the day.

The contrasting scenes at Belvedere Lodge and the PF Secretariat reflect ongoing tensions between the government and the Lungu family over funeral arrangements.

Reports suggest a push-and-pull dynamic, with some family members and PF officials expressing discontent over the government’s handling of the funeral.

Sources close to the family have indicated a preference for the PF Secretariat as the central mourning venue, citing it as a more symbolic and meaningful location for party loyalists.

Meanwhile, the government insists that Belvedere Lodge is the official site for public mourning, as declared by President Hakainde Hichilema.

The division has stirred public debate, with some accusing the government of politicizing the funeral, while others urge unity during the national mourning period.

As Zambia prepares for the late president’s burial, the lack of consensus on the mourning venue underscores deeper political rifts that continue to shape the legacy of Edgar Lungu even in death.