July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Monday, July 9, 2001 - Web posted at 3:45:10 PM GMT

Emotions high at funeral of Zambia opposition figure
MANOAH ESIPISU

LUSAKA - More than 10,000 mourners attended a funeral service on Monday for Zambian opposition leader Paul Tembo, who was murdered on Friday before he was to testify in a government graft case.

The funeral in the capital Lusaka, in which an opposition leader accused the government of killing Tembo, cast a shadow over a landmark summit of heads of state from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) that opened nearby on Monday.

State authorities have denied responsibility for Tembo's death. But the murder has aggravated political tensions in the southern African state and opposition leaders have alerted the OAU to a "gathering political storm".

Witnesses said some 2,500 mourners packed Lusaka's main Catholic cathedral. Over 8,000 more filled the cathedral grounds to honour Tembo. Before the service, mourners had walked a 10-km (six-mile) stretch to the church.

Church leaders condemned the culture of violence which they said was a new trend in traditionally calm Zambia.

"This murder ... Some people appear to be ready to introduce violence in what has been a peaceful country. We must ask the question why? Why has violence become the motivation, and not persuasion?" asked Father Roy Phaben who led prayers.

Reverend Nevers Mumba, an evangelist and opposition leader, accused government agents of carrying out the murder.

"We in the opposition believe that Paul Tembo died because of testimony he was about to make to the corruption tribunal against the three ministers. But to put down Paul will not silence the truth," Mumba said.

Earlier, mourners chanted slogans as Tembo's coffin moved through Lusaka's streets. "(President Frederick) Chiluba must go. The time to go has come."

The opposition says government agents assassinated Tembo just hours before he was due to testify at a tribunal hearing a graft case against the ministers of finance, home affairs and works and supply.

The government has rejected the accusation. Chiluba told Reuters on Saturday he had authorised police to bring in Scotland Yard detectives as well as special agents from South Africa to investigate the murder.

As the funeral procession started, opposition leaders said the names of key members of their circle were on a hit list before general and presidential elections later this year.

"We have information, from our sources, that there is a hit-list. There are specific people intended to be eliminated ahead of the elections," opposition Forum for Democracy and Development member Teddy Mulonga told Reuters.

Zambian Information Minister Vernon Mwaanga said the FDD accusations were "absolute rubbish".

Mulonga identified FDD leader and former vice-president General Christon Tembo -- no relation to Paul Tembo -- and former ministers Vincent Malambo and Edith Nawakwi as high up on the list of FDD leaders to be eliminated.

The three quit Chiluba's ruling party in May after opposing his botched bid to stand for an unconstitutional, third five-year term.

Tembo, 41, was Chiluba's campaign manager until he fell out with him and joined the opposition in May in a bid to unseat his former boss.

He was shot dead on Friday in front of his horrified wife and children and will be buried in the central town of Kabwe, 145 kms (90 miles) north of Lusaka, on Tuesday. Nampa-Reuters

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