Vice-President Inonge Wina says the trend by some political party cadres to settle political scores by inciting violence at funerals of their leaders is unZambian.

The Vice-President says death is a dignified event in Zambian culture and as such, departed beloved ones should be mourned with dignity.

Speaking when she moved a motion to place on record the sympathies of the National Assembly on the death of Katuba UPND member of parliament Patricia Mwashingwele, Thursday, Vice-President Wina appealed to all political party leaders in the country to denounce this trend.

“Madam Speaker, may I take this solemn moment to condemn the growing trend of violence at funerals. This is in view of what transpired during the burial of the late honourable member, Ms Patricia Mwashingwele, where the Speaker of the National Assembly was harassed by suspected cadres of some political party. This should be stopped! I appeal to the leaders of all political parties to bring to an end this very unbecoming behaviour. Death in our culture as Zambians is a dignified event and as such, our departed beloved ones should be mourned with dignity. Let us not demean the dead by allowing political cadres to involve themselves in violence regardless of who we are mourning,” Vice-President Wina said.

“I therefore appeal to all Zambians from all walks of life that let their conscious be touched so that they may help bring this vice to an end. I appeal to all Zambians to live in harmony and in accordance with our motto; one Zamnia one nation. May the soul of our dear departed honourable Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele rest in eternal peace.”

The Vice-President described Mwashingwele as a very humble, sober-minded and objective debater who contributed passionately about the improvement of the education sector.

“Ms Mwashingwele was a symbol of a determined female political leader, who against all odds managed to excel to become a member of parliament to represent her people. As a Parliamentarian, Ms Mwashingwele served on the Committee on Education, Science and Technology and the Committee on Parastatal Bodies. She was vice chairperson in both committees and whenever she was privileged to chair the committee meetings, the late Mwashingwele exhibited strong leadership qualities: she exhibited impartiality and professionalism in the manner she chaired the meetings. Ms Mwashingwele was a very humble, sober-minded and objective debater. She was very knowledgeable and articulate on matters regarding the education sector. She was very passionate about the improvement of the education sector and through her immense knowledge of the sector, she made sure that she contributed positively to the growth of the education sector,” said Vice-President Wina.

Mwashingwele died on May 6, 2019 at the University Teaching Hospital and was put to rest at Katuba cemetery in Katuba parliamentary constituency.