Family snubs Zambia’s president, says he’s not wanted at predecessor’s funeral

Following the recent death of Zambia’s former president Edgar Lungu, a deepening dispute, as of Thursday, June 12, 2025, has emerged regarding his funeral, driven by political tensions and conflicting wishes between his family and the government.

Online media sources reveal that Lungu, who passed away last week in South Africa at the age of 68, reportedly left explicit instructions that his political rival and successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, should not be present near his body, according to a family spokesperson.

This revelation has intensified the ongoing disagreement over how Lungu should be mourned and laid to rest.

The Zambian government had initially planned to bring his body back from South Africa on Wednesday.

However, the repatriation was halted due to a lack of consensus with Lungu’s family and his party, the Patriotic Front (PF), regarding the funeral arrangements.

The feud is rooted in the long-standing rivalry between Lungu and Hichilema. Lungu served as president from 2015 until 2021, when Hichilema defeated him after multiple failed attempts.

Lungu reportedly died from an undisclosed illness, though the PF claimed he was receiving specialized medical care in South Africa at the time of his passing.

The PF has also accused the government of restricting Lungu’s travel in previous years.

This suggested that his death might have been prevented if he had been allowed earlier access to treatment abroad.

The government has refuted these allegations.

In an attempt to resolve the dispute, a government delegation led by Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe traveled to South Africa to hold discussions with Lungu’s widow, Esther, and his daughter, Tasila.

Both are influential figures in his family.

The administration has expressed its intention to honor Lungu with a state funeral in recognition of his service as head of state.

However, the family’s legal representative, lawyer Makebi Zulu, stated in a video released on Thursday that the family had made complete arrangements for a private funeral in line with Lungu’s wishes.

Zulu emphasized that the late president wanted Hichilema to be kept away from his body and that the government was disregarding the family’s voice in the matter.

Zulu argued that the family should have control over how Lungu is mourned and buried, insisting that the deceased’s final wishes must be respected to preserve his dignity.

He also expressed concern that the government was acting as though the family’s role in the funeral arrangements was irrelevant.

Responding to these statements, Foreign Minister Haimbe acknowledged the family’s position but stressed that Lungu’s death was a national matter.

He noted that the former president’s funeral should reflect the sentiments of the entire country and be a respectful tribute to his leadership.

The government issued a statement describing ongoing “constructive consultations” with the family to facilitate the smooth return of Lungu’s remains.

Still, the standoff has left many Zambians confused about how to honor the former leader properly.

National mourning was officially declared for seven days beginning last Saturday.

However, the PF had already announced its own mourning period one day earlier.

This division extended to funeral locations as well, the government selected a government-owned lodge in Lusaka as the primary mourning site.

On the other hand, the PF directed mourners to its own party headquarters.

Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa weighed in, telling the BBC that this conflict illustrates the need for Zambia to establish clear legal guidelines for funerals of current and former presidents.

He stressed that, despite any legislation, a deceased leader’s family’s wishes should take precedence.

After losing the presidency in 2021, Lungu initially withdrew from political life but later returned to the political scene.

He continued to be a key figure within the PF and expressed a desire to run for president again.

However, the Constitutional Court ruled last year that he had already served two full terms, disqualifying him from contesting future elections.

This controversy surrounding Lungu’s burial highlights the intersection of politics, law, and personal legacy in Zambia’s democratic landscape.

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