Mutotwe Kafwaya Family Declines State Funeral, Chooses Private Burial
The family of former Cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has declined the Zambian Government’s offer to accord him a state funeral and burial.
The decision was confirmed by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick K. Kangwa in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
According to Kangwa, Government had offered to honour Kafwaya with the funeral and burial arrangements applicable to a former Cabinet minister.
However, the former minister’s family chose to conduct a private funeral instead.
“The family, however, respectfully declined the offer by government and opted to host a private funeral arrangement,” Kangwa said.
Kafwaya held senior government positions during his political career, serving in two Cabinet portfolios.
He served as Minister of Works and Supply from 2018 to 2019, before becoming Minister of Transport and Communications, a position he held from 2019 to 2021.
His service in Cabinet placed him among the senior government officials who have previously been eligible for official funeral honours following their death.
Following the family’s decision, the Secretary to the Cabinet called on members of the public to respect their wishes.
The government’s position means that Kafwaya’s funeral arrangements will proceed privately rather than under the official state funeral framework initially offered by authorities.
The development has drawn attention because state funerals for former senior government officials are generally accompanied by official recognition of their service to the country.
In this case, however, the family has chosen to handle the funeral independently.
The decision brings a formal end to discussions surrounding the nature of Kafwaya’s funeral arrangements.
While Government was prepared to provide the honours associated with his former Cabinet positions, the family’s preference for a private ceremony will now guide the proceedings.
Authorities have consequently urged the public to allow the family to mourn and make funeral arrangements according to its wishes.
