Lungu Family Rejects Government-Led Funeral, Insists on Honouring Late President’s Final Wishes
The family of Zambia’s late sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has issued a firm statement rejecting government-led funeral arrangements, insisting instead on fulfilling the late president’s personal wishes regarding the handling of his remains and the conduct of national mourning.
Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu passed away on Thursday, 5th June 2025, in South Africa. Since his death, the family has engaged in several meetings with delegations from the Zambian government to discuss the logistics of his repatriation and funeral. However, those engagements have now reached a deadlock.
In a strongly worded statement, the Lungu family revealed that they had already made all logistical arrangements privately to transport the late president’s body to Zambia. Crucially, they reiterated one of Dr. Lungu’s final requests — that his mortal remains be conveyed solely by his family and not by the state. The family also made it clear that President Hakainde Hichilema should not be present during any stage of the transportation or funeral, citing reasons that have “since become common cause,” hinting at the fraught relationship between the two leaders.
Government delegations led by Foreign Affairs Minister Mlambo Haimbe and later by former Vice President Enoch Kavindele were initially open to the family’s wishes, the statement said. However, the family claims the government later changed positions after “purported consultations,” undermining previously agreed-upon terms.
“The family is disturbed by the desire of the government of the Republic of Zambia to convey the mortal remains… in ways that suggest that they have no say,” the statement read. “Matters of conscience for both the deceased and the family should not be sacrificed at the order of convenience by the government.”
Adding to the strain, the family accused the government of sidelining them in critical decisions surrounding how the late president should be mourned. They emphasized that state protocol should not override the personal conscience of the deceased or the dignity of family choice.
Despite the impasse, the Lungu family reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the late president is mourned in a manner befitting his status — both by the nation and international dignitaries. They also indicated that the public would be informed of alternative funeral arrangements, suggesting a growing rift over who should lead the national mourning process.
CONCLUSION:
As Zambia prepares to bid farewell to a former head of state, the tensions between state protocol and personal legacy have come to the fore. The Lungu family’s firm stance has now raised broader questions about the politics of national mourning, the autonomy of bereaved families, and the handling of presidential legacies in a polarized political climate. A peaceful resolution remains possible — but only if mutual respect prevails over control.
Well ,it is the family’s right to do so but GRZ should have a say on the matter due to security and other protocol matters.
Actually, family funerals are not constitutional. But the State Funerals are. So do not mistake the two. They are actually lucky the government is taking a respectful approach.
No, its not the family’s right. All of you aspiring to be presidents should know that your family rights, bla bla bla, are surpassed by State rights when you enter office. The moment you take that public office, the State takes over certain aspects of your life, like it or not. That’s why even HH’s refusal to reside in State House should be challenged. You don’t assume the democratic office of Presidency to create your own conditions of service. This is a republic not a kingdom where the King is above the laws, Lawyers should be helping citizens by explaining such issues as Presidency in a Democracy
What security? There is no security issue here. Thats just exaggerated. Let us respect the families wish, burial of a former head of state is not even constitutional contrary to the ignorance we are hearing. It will be good and advisable for the family to work with the state, but it should be emphasized that it’s not constitutional.
Very emotional and nonsensical move by the family under the toxic influence of PF big wigs such as Lubinda.
Never, ever let your emotions dictate your decision making processes, immediately you do, you become irrational and nonsensical.
St. Desperacius.
Kindly tell us how best government should have done this. What has the government not done constitutionally to have paved the way forward during this funeral period?
National mourning is a week and no more. For the Lungu family and their political mates, they can mourn as long as they want. People need to go back to the normal routine because they also have family issues, including bereavements, to deal with.
Then what? Satisfaction that you ‘got one over the government’? PF, the Lungu family and Makebi Zulu have placed themselves on an imaginary pedestal of self importance but which most rational people know only translates to their inherent selfishness, perception of being victims and the blind leading other blind people. Their despicable behaviour merits having them lashed mercilessly after whatever kind of funeral is held, until they cry for their kindred.
This is ridiculous………
If the president can’t attend the funeral, how will foreign dignitaries attend ?…..
GRZ should just withdraw their offer of a state funeral and let the family go ahead with a private funeral……,
You can’t be holding the country at ransom because you can’t explain where you got the suspected stolen wealth……..
FWD2031
Yes a pty funeral is their choice
And they not holding a country to ramsom so dont speak for them
If you were intouch with reality the annimosity is towards a very select group
and not the people of Zambia
Whilst I never liked the man or his governing
I support the family only on this instance
I never supported the man nor do I support the one in State House now but a State Funeral for one who was or is President isnt a gift. It is statutory, Refusing it is illegal! There were presidents and ex presidents who objected to that Embassy Park burial ground but the State went ahead and buried them there. This petty squabbling over death is just typical African funeral brawling after a breadwinner dies. Tasila tell your mother to put nation ahead of partisan feuds just for a day.
Tikki
If you had any sense or intelligence……
You would realise the animosity is towards investigations into their wealth………
Where they can’t explain the source…….
FWD2031
Did that man really die? The government should physically check that coffin if the family insists on private burial.
It’s pregnancy of a teenager that you can hide not the death of a former head of state!
Kikikikiki @Gary ni mu Sassa Filika muno ka! In South Africa someone faked his death just like that and he is now in court with his girlfriend
Family can’t make state to accept all their demands.Will family meet all state demands?
Both parties should compromise and let go
Some demands.Not all wishes of the late can
Be met if at all they were given.
@Moto join this Funeral committee to bring some sanity into it
It is really a shame we have gotten to this stage. I can only wish both parties all the best may the wish of the departed be granted so we return to our various stations of livelihood. Kind share with us the program that the family has put in place so we can ready ourselves.
Strange…..! Doesn’t president Lungu of senior family members to help things out? How’s it that it’s only the First Lady, Tasila and that lawyer calling the shots. So much secrecy surrounding the former pre…….his illness, what he died of, his family structure etc.
Ester Lungu, Tasilla and others are capable of handling the issues, they are the nuclear family. You dont even need extended family. They were given instructions by the late which they are executing, what is difficult pamene apa. Go and sort out your way ward economy and leave this to the family please.
Dr. Lungu, since when? I am all lost.
The Lungu family and the PF lack class. Plain and simple. Their behaviour is crass and in using the body of a dead man to try and gain political capital is beneath being a human. These people are primitive and belong to the bush and have no place in a modern civilised society.
Any chance that Lungu had of having a fitting legacy is gone, by their actions he will just be a footnote in the history of Zambia.
If you want to know how someone lived their life, attend their funeral. Disorder followed PF and Lungu and this has not changed. I am compelled to believe that the claim that Lungu was not fully Zambian is true. Where are the elderly uncles and aunts? Why is Makebi Zulu speaking on behalf of the family? Why can’t the son and nephews actually stand up and impose dignity to their father’s send off?
Iwe na iwe Lungu was 68. In a country with a life expectancy of 60.97, you expect his uncles and aunts to be alive? I don’t think either of the two Lungu’s parents are alive. Makebi is a lawyer so he knows what to say in public
There is absolutely no disorder here, the family have just presented their demands as passed on to them by the late. Why are you complicating simple things, they don’t want some people, period. Why are you forcing matters and castigating people who are simply exercising their wishes.
@Umwina Chimwemwe wapa Kamunga – Statistics seem like an intelligent tool but they do not present the reality. Everyone in this comment section can attest to the fact that they have relatives alive in their 80s. Something here does not add up with Lungu’s situation. Even elderly cousins surely should exist. You really cannot have a lawyer who is paid on the hour speaking for a family at a funeral. This is an indication of how out of touch these people became with reality. It is even shameful that they held a church service in a foreign country at a church the late was not an attendant.
Our African mentality sucks the problem is most are not widely travelled so know no better
with some advocating where he is buried ? How would some of you like to be buried next to people you disliked .. A plaque can be put for the state and the body where the family decides
You see, the difference is that we never held the position of president. When one vies for that office, it should be known that some parts of their life or death will be dictated by laws applicable for such offices. What the government is doing is merely courteous.
Why fight over the rotten body of a corrupt thief, womanizer and sadistic devil?
You see that we still have fulls on these bloggs, here is one above calling itsef Agneatha
Be careful what you post in public
After this we should legally cancel all State funerals for Presidents. We cant be wasting our hard earned tax on brawling mourners. These presidents can afford their own funerals
Circumcision
They now want the body of somebody their cadres said they would circumcise. No consequences, no nothing
Taking advantage of someone’s death to see how far we can arm twist the government and make them dance to our whims especially the one in state house. If you go too far you will regret afterwards when he is not given the respect even in death
This funeral confusion is what we will witness if and when the current president crosses to another life.
God forbid.
I didn’t say God willing. No.
But I have stated a fact after visiting the Lodge this afternoon, my mind open: from dust we come to Belvedere we go..
Ati they want a state funeral but it must be minus the actual state itself? I doubt the accuracy of the article. We can’t elect the dead person to compete with the sitting government, it’s very unChristian
Some times it’s better to be ignorant not to utter every word the dead speaks because it can bring confusion among the living
The wishes of the family should be final. State can only negotiate. There is no provision in the constitution giving power to the state over a former Presidents burial.
The classis is Mwaliteta and Liswaniso thinking it is constitutional for a sitting President to bury a former head of state. And these are leaders but look at the level of ignorance. There is absolutely no such provision in our constitution, that is why UPND are misleading each other on this issue and unnecessarily blaming the bereaved family
The crux of the matter is the PF and lungu family want all state investigations into the suspected stolen wealth dropped and.,……
And all proceeds returned to them…….
Don’t forget , some of that suspicious wealth and assets is meant to fund PF….,,
That is what they are arm twisting GRZ for
FWD231
So how do they hope to have the investigations dropped? Did you hear them state that to the State or you? That just can’t happen.
Similarly, the person you stripped of former president status can not automatically become State property only in death. You have failed to reconcile this. And this is where the problem squarely lies. Some greasy hairs have failed to make out something that simple. I hear some in the League say, Umulandu ta ubola. Meaning procecutions will start immediately after burial. Has the PF or the family ever made any demand of such relief? What is true is that they don’t want the president near the funeral procession. Therein lies the rub.
We need a compromise. It is an embarrassment to the presidency if he misses the burial. I feel that isn’t right at all. This problem has nothing to do with the expected dignitaries but the president’s dignity. He needs this majestic regality even if he took it away from Lungu.
My Zambia……were you there for you to say they are not demanding dropping the
cases ???……
Ati it can’t happen ??
Don’t be so ignorant , It is the prerogative of the president…….
That’s why PLW once said if FJT returns 75% of what he stole , he will be a free man……
The UPND government quite honestly don’t care where the late ECL is buried……
They actually can’t wait to get this episode over and done with……..
They are only doing this state funeral for public perception……..otherwise they don’t care where he is buried………
I’m sure they now hope the episode went the mugabe way where the family did what they wanted and got it done and over with…….
FWD2031
The family is being used here and if they are not careful they will live a life to regret. A political hand is using them for their own benefit. But the more they delay the more we see how disorganised this family was just as the political party PF whereby everyone is a spokes person.
If they bury in South well and good then our nation will save money and Lungu will lose honor forever.