By Kapya Kaoma
The chilling revelation that former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was repeatedly denied permission to travel abroad for urgent medical care—even when he offered to pay from his own pocket—is nothing short of morally outrageous. That he had to slip out of the country like a fugitive, stripped of the dignity befitting his former office, and that those who assisted him were swiftly fired, raises a sobering question, What kind of politics are we practicing? If a former Head of State could be treated this way, what hope remains for the rest of us?
That he was once blocked from boarding a plane for treatment isn’t just disturbing—it is damning. It suggests not neglect, but something far more sinister–creeping authoritarianism masquerading as democracy. Surely! What administration withholds healthcare as a tool of political punishment? What kind of “New Dawn” dims the light on a man’s final days for political rivalry?
We must resist the ritual silence that shrouds death in polite restraint. Another coffin has come before us, but the truth must not be buried with it. Former President Lungu’s death is not just a tragedy—it bears the markings of political indifference, if not deliberate cruelty.
President Hichilema’s curt statement—that he was “informed” of Lungu’s passing—felt cold, distant, and sterile. This was not the death of a stranger; this was a former president. The moment demanded compassion. What we received was detachment.
Where was the urgency? Where was the empathy? Where, indeed, was the leadership?
Has the thirst for power so intoxicated our national conscience that even common decency must now be rationed?
We must ask the questions that matter. What became of the Office of the Former President—an institution designed not merely as a courtesy, but as a safeguard of dignity, continuity, and national memory? In any functioning democracy, the office would ensure that a former Head of State receives the care he needs, no matter the political weather. In Zambia, it seems, institutional respect has been replaced with political vindictiveness—and now, we are counting the cost in lives, not just in headlines.
The government claimed there was no money to support President Lungu’s treatment. Yet there’s always money—plenty of it—for endless foreign trips, bloated entourages, and the maintenance of two presidential residences for Mr. Hichilema. That’s not just fiscal irresponsibility—it’s moral rot. Since when did saving a life become an optional expense?
I will not mourn Edgar Lungu with tears alone. I mourn him with righteous anger—anger at the erosion of ubuntu, our shared humanity. Anger at a system so broken that those who chose compassion were punished for it. Anger that a man who once held the highest office in the land had to beg for dignity in his final moments.
President Lungu’s death must be more than a headline. It must be a turning point. It must help us to collectively declare, Never again. Never again should a sitting president hold unchecked power over the welfare of those who came before him. These are not favors handed out in benevolence—they are constitutional rights, funded by the very people in whose name the state claims to govern.
Yes, calls for unity in mourning are appropriate. But they must not be used as a blanket to smother truth. President Hichilema still has a chance to lead with moral clarity—but leadership, ethical leadership, begins with accountability.
The Lungu family has lost a husband, a father, a man. Zambia has lost a former leader, beloved by the masses. The rivers of tears flowing through our markets, streets, compounds, churches, and campuses speak loudly to President Hichilema, “The man you sidelined, mocked, and vowed to grab by the neck with his mingalato—was cherished by millions.”
But this mourning is not just about Edgar Lungu. It is a national lament—a cry for ethical leadership that places humanity above vendetta, and compassion above politics.
I believe in forgiveness. And I pray the Lungu family will, in time, find the strength to forgive. But let us be clear: forgiveness is not silence. Forgiveness begins with truth. And truth requires that we name what went wrong.
We should always remember that human life is sacred. It is not a pawn to be traded in the chess game of political rivalry. It must never again be subordinated to power, pride, or presidential pettiness.
It is time to end the politics of vengeance. It is time to say, Enough!
Bwafya!!!!!
Just shows how backward we are this is a load of bollocks
Ecl had the means to support his own medical if he really wanted to and claim later
he was obviously given wrong medical advise or ignored it
this doesnt make the decisions by Grz right It just makes some of us realise we a long way from rationality
The prophesied division by one great late leader is swiftly in motion
He had every means to take care of himself. But that is not the point of contention.
He was denied the means to seek medicals payable from his personal finances. His choice was to leave the country for specialised treatment in SA. He was in essence considered a convict. His office of the 6th president was non functional. His security was taken away. Such are the general complaints on discussion. He was literally strangled to his Mortal Sleep.
The practice of presidents shunning our own hospitals is a national shame and must be stopped. Sadly and shockingly, people appear to accept it. Indeed, tul1 m4tak0, with no prospect of ever being in front.
What is outrageous and damaging is that he did nothing to improve medical services to the extent of caring for every body, including himself. Who gives you the entitlement to other countrys’ medical services?
Whether you mourn with fire or water changes nothing. Just celebrate the man’s contribution. One way or another, the man would have to go, and he is gone. We are all going.
“Who gives you the entitlement to other countrys’ medical services?” Unlike you latecomers to capitalism, South Africa is a huge commercial venture. This means even the hospitals are selling their services so they cant refuse a patient who wants their services as long as he can pay. Only government hospitals treat citizens for free. However, even government hospitals like Baragwanath in Soweto are trying to commercialise Chinese style.
Its the vultures in PF (including family members) who did not give ECL a chance to live long and enjoy his retirement.They knew he had a terminal illness but their selfish political motives made ECL return to active politics at great expense to his health.
SHAME ON THEM.
Kapya Kaoma always with negativity and politicization of his demonic mental architecture.ECL himself and his political parasites seeking bountiful harvest did the most damage to his personal health.
There’s medical reasons doctors always advice avoidance of stressful situations in ill health like politicking at the expense of one’s recovery.
Kapaya is like an ignorant bafoon. And he has been a journalist of a brunch or cartel of all those who hate HH. Kapaya how many hateful articles have you written against HH? And who stold HH, ”when I go through I shall arrest you, and make die in jail.’:
But did the PF not deny that Lungu was sick? How can you not be sick but at the same time you want to travel for medical treatment abroad. That brings suspicion.
Hello, let us be sensitive life has been lost in the name of political rivalry. We has US former presidents campaigning in elections and commenting on the political landscape of the the country without facing government hostility. I think we should improve in African politics. The president in office should not fear the former coming back if he/she puts the economy of the country first and the economy is truly fine. Only when one fails to do that then resort to all manner of behaviour. Sad ECL is gone. RIP ECL
Even the UPND recently denied that our current president was sick. The Police threatened and warned Zambians against discussing such. So we are made to assume that presidents don’t fall sick. Only Lungu’s illness was a free for all talk. It was even tabled in parliament until it was deemed that such is a private matter and may amount to infringement.
HH n his UPND are hateful evil humans, HH is a doctor a hyena in sheep skin. They did illegally deny him to leave zambia for medicals n even fired the guys at Kenneth Kaunda airport for allowing him out.
He think he’ll shut us up with hs stupid so cakked cyber law, go to hell
Mwansa, you are DELUSIONAL at best ignorant or just refuse to face facts. ECL was sick, anyone knows that if you have a terminal illness you scale down activities, politics is not a walk in the park, at the least the politics of PF. Hate, strife and the like are surely to bring you closer to the end. Leave HH alone, he is a humble and honest man. made his wealth without plundering the coffers of the country and causing millions the country to lie, steal and be dishonest just to feed themselves. Just be honest with yourself and stop justifying your unjust acts.