Lungu’s Death Sparks Political Firestorm as PF Accuses Government of Mistreatment
The death of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has plunged the country into a period of mourning and political tension, as Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Rafael Nakacinda accuses the current regime of subjecting Lungu to humiliation and obstruction that may have hastened his death. With Lungu’s remains still in South Africa, a public dispute over repatriation has erupted between the government and the late leader’s family.
Lungu died at the age of 68 in Pretoria, South Africa, where he was receiving treatment for achalasia, a condition affecting the esophagus. Zambia has declared seven days of national mourning from June 8 to 14, ordering flags at half-mast and suspending entertainment activities.
Yet behind the official solemnity lies a deep political rift. Nakacinda, who is currently in South Africa with the family, contends that Lungu’s death could have been avoided had the government not denied him medical freedom. He alleges that for years, the former president’s access to routine treatment was obstructed by politically motivated restrictions.
Nakacinda claims that after leaving office in 2021, Lungu made several unsuccessful attempts to seek medical attention abroad, often being blocked or delayed by the authorities. “In 2022, he indicated he needed to travel for his usual medical reviews,” Nakacinda recounted. “Government said they had no money, even when he offered to pay from his own resources.”
In one incident, Lungu was reportedly removed from a plane by law enforcement agents. Only in late 2024, under the watch of a visiting UN rapporteur investigating human rights conditions in Zambia, was he able to discreetly leave for South Africa. Upon arrival, doctors informed him that had he come earlier, his prognosis might have been different.
The PF alleges that the government’s current posture, leading the repatriation and funeral plans, is disingenuous and politically opportunistic. Nakacinda says the family initially planned to handle the process independently, even financing it through well-wishers, until government ministers abruptly intervened.
“The family was shocked to find Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe arriving and declaring the body would be taken back the next day, without prior agreement,” Nakacinda said. “They treated him like an ordinary person in life and now want to treat him like a statesman in death, to cleanse their record.”
He insists the family still has unanswered questions and is conducting additional procedures before the remains are returned. A postmortem has been requested to clarify the exact cause of death, amid speculative reports suggesting the possibility of poisoning an allegation Nakacinda did not confirm but said merited thorough examination.
Edgar Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, left office following a defeat to current President Hakainde Hichilema. His post-presidency was marked by legal probes, asset seizures, and political isolation. While the government maintained it was pursuing justice, his allies viewed it as targeted persecution.
Nakacinda accuses the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of harboring “paranoia” over a possible Lungu comeback in 2026 a speculation that, though unconfirmed, hung over much of the opposition discourse in recent years.
As the country observes national mourning, the impasse between the government and the Lungu family remains unresolved. Nakacinda warns that unless the government acknowledges its role in what he describes as Lungu’s “humiliation until death,” the situation could become a national embarrassment.
“The government is rushing to impose a seven-day mourning period,” he said. “But what if the body isn’t repatriated by then? Are they mourning a person or managing political optics?”
Lungu’s passing was expected to be a unifying moment, but it has instead spotlighted deep fractures in Zambia’s political landscape. Whether the coming days will bring reconciliation or further division depends not only on how the former president is honored, but on whether those in power are willing to confront the accusations of neglect, obstruction, and politicization leveled against them.
Facts be told even when he was President there were concerns about his health. PF should not be politicizing his death just to gain political mileage, the same ones doing this are the ones who misguided him when he was President.
It is unfortunate what has happened but no one is to blame for this unfortunate incident on our beloved ECL. 10 years was a long enough time to upgrade our medical facilities to a point where no one should have to travel outside. Sometimes this is how God answers us for the mistakes we make, had the money that this country was getting from China gone to upgrading more of our medical facilities instead of landing in other people’s pockets (they know themselves) maybe he would’ve been treated and healed here in Zambia.
Such is life.
Ati the money should have gone to medical facility upgrading, how? when you in your era as UPND giving prescriptions to patients is the order of the day. Your colleagues built hospitals every where, made a strong foundation for you but you are failing. Even boasting of so many health workers you have employed on the infrastructure foundation left for you. Start working you don’t have time
When you have frivolous characters given too much attention. They begin to shape the character and culture of a nation.
Do you think that noise will solve your problems? As it is you are trying to recover the “family silver” these noise makers had sold.
Spolit entilted people who think being ” wanabe gangsters” and hiding stolen money is being sauve. Get a job, till the land…do something productive than moving your lips. Your pretentious pay master is dead. Just like the rest of us will be at sometime in our live. Stop overating your significance. Zambia is so much better than your wannabe ganstaism. Neither will moving your lips feed you, get a proper job.
Let the state take over but family can play a part as well.This is not time to settle scores.
Lubinda, Nakacinda including the other low life wannabe face of Zambia whilst you’re just trying to tarnish the image of the country knowingly. You PF guys in positions of power in your political party are not leaders but destroyers. You have way too harmful and detrimental to the country. You’re a collection of failed politicians failing to provide guidance and positivity during mourning of ECL. I hope Lubinda and company start sticking to what they know than their continuation of creating a toxic environment.
Typical negligence of duty. He was away to a SA medical facility for seven solid months. No government visit or phone call to check on how the former republican president was faring. It is like, in the eyes of the UPND, he never existed at all. Could he have been on undocumeted house arrest? Only on his demise would he suddenly become a bonafide property of the State? He even looks stateless than a statesman. I see a bunch of pretenders trying to take the fore who feel nothing about his passing who’s current interest is damage control
The reality is that President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) has set a historic and unfortunate precedent for our country. Zambia now stands as the only nation in the world without a living former president. This situation could have been avoided had HH shown the same compassion that the late President Mwanawasa extended to his political rivals, especially in matters of health.
If HH had a heart like Mwanawasa’s, we wouldn’t be witnessing this tragic political spectacle. Ironically, former President Lungu demonstrated more humanity—he even forgave HH for a treason-related offense. Now, he remains the only surviving former head of state.
Perhaps even Dr. Kenneth Kaunda sensed what was to come and chose to pass on while Lungu was still in office.. Hashala Heke (HH)
No worries bro, he will surely be a former head of state after August 2026. Straight forward issue with no dispute or contest Zambia will have one former head of state after the next elections. A manager at National Airports was even fired that former President Edgar Lungu was not searched when leaving the airport.
The reality is that President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) has set a historic and unfortunate precedent for our country. Zambia now stands as the only nation in the world without a living former president. This situation could have been avoided had HH shown the same compassion that the late President Mwanawasa extended to his political rivals, especially in matters of health.
If HH had a heart like Mwanawasa’s, we wouldn’t be witnessing this tragic political spectacle. Ironically, former President Lungu demonstrated more humanity—he even forgave HH for a treason-related offense. Now, he remains the only surviving former head of state.
Perhaps even Dr. Kenneth Kaunda sensed what was to come and chose to pass on while Lungu was still in office.. Hashala Heka (HH)
Is there a more divisive sounding name than Nakachinda in the Zambian context?
Nakachinda is not talking from a vacuum. He is sane and of sound mind. Chifumu Banda told you at the funeral of Nawakwi to start treating your political opponents in a humane manner. I see that speech being played again at ECLs funeral. As government did you did even check on a former head of state who was on self medical evacuation not a single day. Lelo ati lets mourn with dignity. Some people must be excommunicated as church elders please
Nakachinda has proved to be a prickly thorn in mindsets of members of his ethnic group called the BANTU-BOTATWE. Yet there are many members of this group who share his notion of One Zambia One Nation. Nakachinda speaks for all the vulnerable people of Zambia by telling the world the truth about the tyranny that has been inflicted on ECL and his Family (MHSRIEP). Revelations being un-earthed in South Africa have actually exposed and embarrassed the hypocritic Zambian Govt.