The family of Zambia’s late former President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has once again suspended the repatriation of his remains from South Africa, citing a breach of key funeral arrangements by the Zambian government.
Lungu passed away earlier this month while undergoing medical treatment in South Africa for an undisclosed illness. He served as Zambia’s head of state from 2015 until 2021.
After days of negotiations between the family and government officials, a consensus had reportedly been reached, with the late president’s body scheduled to be flown back to Lusaka on Wednesday aboard a private charter flight. However, the family reversed its decision, alleging the government had deviated from the agreed-upon funeral plans.
“Sadly so, that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return today,” said Makebi Zulu, the family’s spokesperson, during a press briefing in South Africa on Wednesday.
Zulu stated that a funeral programme was released by the government without consulting the family, thereby undermining trust and casting doubt on the government’s commitment to prior agreements.
“It is our hope that someday, his remains will be repatriated back home and buried,” Zulu added, flanked by members of Lungu’s immediate family.
Under the initial arrangement, President Hakainde Hichilema was expected to receive Lungu’s remains at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. The body was to be taken to his residence in the capital, where it would lie in state before a state funeral slated for Saturday, June 22, followed by burial the next day.
Wednesday’s announcement marks the second time Lungu’s family has halted plans to return his body to Zambia, as tensions continue to simmer over the handling of the funeral rites.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), which Lungu led until his death, has rallied behind the family, accusing the current administration of politicising the mourning process.
The late president’s relationship with his successor, Hichilema, was marked by deep political rivalry. After losing the 2021 general elections to Hichilema by a significant margin, Lungu initially stepped away from active politics but later made a return, expressing interest in contesting the presidency again.
However, in a ruling issued last year, Zambia’s Constitutional Court declared him ineligible to run, stating that he had already served the maximum of two terms allowed under the nation’s laws.
Despite the court’s ruling, Lungu remained a central figure in the country’s political discourse, frequently criticising Hichilema’s leadership.
He had also accused the government of placing him under de facto house arrest and restricting his movements, allegations which the government denied.
A 16-day period of national mourning was declared following Lungu’s passing. But even in death, controversy continues to follow the late leader.
According to his family, Lungu had expressly stated that President Hichilema “should not come anywhere near his body.”
However, this condition was reportedly dropped after a compromise that would have permitted Hichilema to preside over the state funeral.
