No Unauthorized Statements on Lungu’s Death-UPND
Lusaka, Zambia – June 10, 2025 — The United Party for National Development (UPND) has moved to restore internal discipline and coherence during the national mourning period following the passing of former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. In a strongly worded statement issued by Secretary General Hon. Batuke Imenda, the ruling party has cautioned its members against issuing unsanctioned public remarks regarding the late president.
The UPND leadership has emphasized the importance of unified messaging, solemn conduct, and respect for national mourning protocols, urging its members to channel all official communication through designated party or government offices. The directive aims to curb political indiscipline and safeguard the dignity of the nation during this sensitive time.
Below is the full statement from the UPND Secretariat:
UPND SECRETARIAT CAUTIONS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED STATEMENTS ON THE DEMISE OF FORMER PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has issued a formal statement cautioning its members against making unauthorized public comments following the death of former Republican President, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
In a notice released today the party’s Secretary General, Hon. Batuke Imenda, expressed concern over the proliferation of unsanctioned remarks made by individual party members.
“It has come to the attention of the Secretary General of the governing party that members have been issuing statements and comments on the demise of the former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu without clearance or authority from the UPND Secretariat,” Mr. Imenda said.
Calling for a unified and respectful approach to national mourning, Mr. Imenda emphasized the importance of discipline, protocol, and solemnity during this period. “As we are mourning as a nation, we need to conduct ourselves in a systematic and organized solemn manner, preach peace and unity,” he added.
The UPND has now directed that all official communication regarding the party’s position or participation during the mourning period will be issued solely by the Office of the Secretary General, Party Spokesperson and the Party Media Team. Official government statements will be communicated by the Secretary to the Cabinet or the Chief Government Spokesperson.
Furthermore, all members or affiliates who wish to make public comments on this matter must first seek express authorization from the Office of the Media Director, Mr. Mark Simuuwe.
“This should be taken as an official notification,” the statement stated.
The UPND reiterates its condolences to the family of the late President Lungu and calls on all Zambians to stand together in dignity and respect during this time of national loss.
A bit late I would say
Always acting when the horse has bolted
The same Mark Simuwe who is busy threatening people for arrests over statement about the funeral (cyber laws still exist even during funerals, be careful we shall follow you to the fullest extend of the law). The same Simuwe who can’t see the lines between party and government?
He was hailed as a hero when appointed but my word! Also, how exactly will party members manage to get permission from one person to post on social media, assuming the UPND has 2 million members?
2,000,000 devided by 2 now 🙂
The approach of spanking the deceased seems to have ceased. But for how long the fragile ceasefire lasts is everyone’s guess. Mark already issued a stern warning to run immediately after burial. Let’s meet him squarely and boldly.
I already issued a Zambian statement which is very official as I am not a politician in anyway.
I commend the UPND for this. Very well done. Very mature. Please continue in this vein.
Let me be honest. I am deeply impressed with the statement from the GRZ spokesperson. It is more refined and civil than the first one he made that teemed with political innuendos. Better late than never. The people power has won and made the uncouth elite tone down to what society requires of a leader. The acrimony has subsided. At least for now. Question is, why didn’t the power that be issue such directives from the onset? The leader is suspect.
And Director MarkTwain likes groping in the darkness and never reliable but oiled with wannabe intentions.
Cyber laws not enough ?
Commendable statement from the UPND SG, we had very unpalatable statements from Mark Simuwe, Mwaliteta, Elisha Matambo and other misguided souls including Laura Miti.
Thank you UPND SG for trying to restore sanity. When ECL was alive he was threatened and insulted and even told he would be circumcised by UPND cadres, with no consequences till now, this uncouth language nearly continued after his death now but I am glad that the UPND leadership has risen to the occasion on this one.
Have the UPND cadres who threatened ECL with circumcision been arrested?
Well done that UPND……
We urge GRZ not to fall for blackmail the PF want to use with the death of the late president…….
There should be no compromise in financial and criminal investigations…….
FWD2031
Irresponsible statements again here
Nkandu
What irresponsible statements….?
You want to support criminality. ???
Funeral or no funeral, investigations for crimes must not be stopped
FWD2031
How i wish PF had the same discipline back when Zambians were subjected to PF cadres violence.
And another irresponsible statement here despite advice from their leaders
Never seen such chaos. Is the former First Lady and Tasila the only close family members? Where are President Lungu’s other family members I.e. siblings, cousins, uncles and other extended family members? Does not seem to reflect the typical Zambian family structure?
Let them mourn the way they want please. Don’t put pressure on them. Former head of state, former head of state, today? Kwisa? Why should you start looking for their family structures now? Did you bother to find how he was fairing when he was out sick these past 7 months but just to come and look for their family structures now? Let them the way they want
@Blago my thoughts exactly. No brothers, cousins, aunties, uncles, nephews, nieces, etc. Does not seem to be a typical family setup! something is off.
Some things are better left unmentioned. I seriously have never heard of our Kateks biological father and it doesn’t bother me. And no one talks about it. Where’re is his father and who’s his dad?