6 November 2009
FORMER UNIP secretary general Grey Zulu is upset with a media reports that the Government regards him as a criminal when he has all along been receiving help from the State.
And Mr Zulu's family has thanked the Government for support rendered since the death of Mr Zulu's son, Agrippa.
Speaking in an interview at the funeral house in Lusaka yesterday, family spokesperson Fisho Mwale said Mr Zulu was extremely disturbed with media reports because it did not portray the correct position.
"It's not right that people should take advantage of the bereavement and publicise it. It's not the nature of Zambians and he is upset with that statement. His concern has been that we do not want to politicise this funeral," Mr Mwale said
He said that the president had been to the funeral house three times and offered to assist the family in whichever way possible.
Mr Mwale said since the death of Agrippa, the Government and President Banda had been assisting the family financially and materially.
Even when he was away in Burundi, Mr Mwale said President Banda had been regularly in touch with Mr Zulu.
"Today (yesterday) he called to ask about uncle Grey's health and in case people do not know, on day one of the funeral, President Banda appointed Peter Daka to be liaising and coordinating with the family and all these efforts are meant to assist," Mr Mwale said.
On a daily basis, Mr Daka has been visiting the funeral house and coordinating the arrangements to bring back the remains of Agrippa.
He said that although it was not customary for Zambians to divulge the names of people assisting at a funeral before the burial ceremony, the family was compelled to reveal the names because of the wrong impression created that Mr Zulu was regarded as a criminal by the Government.
Apart from receiving assistance from the Government, Mr Mwale said the family was also overwhelmed with the help rendered by the leaders of various political parties and some individuals.
The body of Agrippa would arrive in Zambia at 21:00 hours tomorrow aboard a South African Airways. Burial has tentatively been set for Sunday.
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