Mutotwe Kafwaya family declines state funeral and suspends burial

The family of former Zambian Cabinet Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has declined an offer from the government to provide state funeral honours. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa stated the offer was made in recognition of Kafwaya’s service as Minister of Works and Supply and Minister of Transport and Communications under the Patriotic Front administration.

Kafwaya was fatally wounded during a joint state security operation in Kabulonga, Lusaka, on 14 August. While the government has appealed for public respect regarding the family’s decision to hold a private funeral, the family has suspended all funeral arrangements, including church services and burial processions.

The family reported that the funeral programme was halted after discovering Kafwaya’s remains were returned without clothing or shoes. According to family representatives, authorities allegedly claimed that his clothing, mobile phone, and warrant were destroyed because they were heavily soaked in blood. The family expressed concern that traditional leadership in his home constituency of Lunte would not accept the remains in such a condition.