By Vincent Gunde
The family of former Zambian Head of State Edgar Chagwa Lungu has made a last minute decision to bury the former President in South Africa following disagreement with the Zambian government which is being led by the current President Hakainde Hichilema.
The Zambians were expecting the repatriation of Lungu’s remains from South Africa on 18th June, 2025 but this was cancelled due to concerns raised by the family regarding unilateral decisions made by the Zambian government that deviated from an early agreement.
According to KBN Television reports, burial arrangements for former Zambian Head of State Edgar Chagwa Lungu is underway in collaboration with the South African authorities and this will be either Saturday or Monday.
“Confirmed, the remains of former Zambian Head of State will be buried in South Africa,” KBN TV in its breaking news story.
Addressing Zambian citizens, President Hakainde Hichilema says the Zambian government has declared Lungu’s national mourning period over saying by last Sunday, 15th June, 2025 a mutual understanding was achieved and this was expressed through the joint press briefing in South Africa.
Hakainde said this breakthrough brought relief to the nation, they were prepared to receive the remains of the late Lungu on the 18th June, 2025 and as the people of Zambia were prepared to receive the remains, they were surprised by the family’s reversal of the agreed course of action.
He said the South African government prepared extensively with military honors mounted by the South African Defense Force who did so in vain as the former President’s body was not availed by the family for repatriation.
Addressing fellow citizens, Hakainde said the country cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning, they have done everything possible to engage the family, and they have reached a point where a clear decision has to be made.
President Hakainde said Mr. Lungu was not only an ordinary citizen, but Zambian 6th President, saying he belongs to a family and also belongs to the nation of Zambia urging citizens to remain united as a nation and maintain the peace they are known for.
“May the soul of our departed former Republican President, rest in eternal peace,” reads Hakainde’s eulogy in front of the Zambian citizens.
In his narration, Bakili Muluzi TV said President Hakainde Hichilema is in crocodile tears saying he did not want Lungu to go outside the country for treatment but rather to die in Zambia claiming that for several times, the Zambian government has been denying him going outside Zambia for treatment.
Bakili Muluzi TV said Lungu told his family in advance that if he dies, President Hakainde Hichilema should not come any near to his coffin, he did not want Hakainde to attend his funeral service claiming that ever since he was hospitalized in South Africa, he has never received any phone call from Hakainde wishing him a quick recovery.
The late Edgar Chagwa Lungu will be remembered by the Zambian citizens as the first President of Zambia to have died outside the country, his presidential terminal benefits were removed under Zambian law and the first former President treated as an ordinary citizen of Zambia.
