Family gathers for Kafwaya’s funeral at Tabernacle of David

Mourners are assembled at the Tabernacle of David Assembly City Mission Church in Lusaka for the funeral service of former Lunte MP and ex-Cabinet Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.

The service started at 14:30 hours. Kafwaya served as an elder at the church for more than 20 years, and he will be buried later in his home village in Lunte.

The family has opted for a private funeral and has declined government’s offer of state funeral honours.

Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said the offer was made in recognition of Kafwaya’s service as Minister of Works and Supply from 2018 to 2019 and Minister of Transport and Communications from 2019 to 2021.

According to Kangwa, the family respectfully turned it down and chose to make their own arrangements.

Kafwaya died on August 14 during a joint security operation in Kabulonga, Lusaka, a day after the general election. Police did not name him at first.

Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba later confirmed his identity after the family positively identified the body amid public speculation.

Police said officers went to a residence in Kabulonga as part of an intelligence-led operation. They reported encountering gunfire and returning fire.

Kafwaya was among those killed. Eleven other people were arrested at the premises on suspicion of treason-related offences. Firearms and other items were also recovered during the raid.

Government has since asked the public to respect the family’s decision to hold a private burial as the nation mourns the former minister.