The return of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s remains to Zambia has been unexpectedly postponed, following a dramatic fallout between the government and the late leader’s family over funeral arrangements.
In a strongly worded statement issued from South Africa, family spokesperson Makebi Zulu accused government officials of breaching prior agreements made with the family on how the funeral proceedings should unfold. He alleged that several decisions had been taken unilaterally, without consultation, leading to a breakdown in trust.
“A programme was released suggesting that upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the late President’s body would be transported directly to a church service and subsequently to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre,” Zulu stated. “This plan, too, had not been agreed upon by the family.”
Zulu cited the announcement by the Road Development Agency (RDA) on June 16 about roadworks on the Chifwema route — a path previously agreed upon for the state funeral procession — as a major concern. “This was done without consultation and directly contradicted the agreed-upon funeral programme,” he said.
Tensions further escalated when the Secretary to the Cabinet issued a public statement on June 17, reportedly limiting public participation in the reception of the late President’s remains. Zulu said this move not only sidelined the family but denied them the right to invite people they deemed necessary for such a significant and emotional moment.
“The family find it very difficult to believe that government would stick to their end of the agreement,” Zulu declared. “And have resolved, sadly so, that the mortal remains of President Edgar Lungu would not return home today.”
The latest development has cast a shadow over what was expected to be a dignified and solemn return of Zambia’s sixth President. While government officials have yet to issue a formal response to the family’s accusations, sources indicate that efforts to mediate the impasse are ongoing behind closed doors.
Observers say the public nature of the disagreement is highly unusual and reflects deep mistrust and strained relations between the family and government authorities.
Despite the conflict, the family maintains hope for a resolution. “We still believe that in due time, the remains of President Edgar Lungu will return home and be laid to rest in a manner that respects both family wishes and national dignity,” said Zulu.
As the nation remains in mourning, the political undercurrents surrounding Lungu’s funeral have added an unexpected layer of controversy to a period meant for unity and remembrance.
Awe mukwai ba Makebi naba Akayinde lekeni ukulakila pa lubansa. Perhaps both of you just want him to be buried at Avalon in Soweto?
It appears the family is alert and does not want to dribbled. If you ask me, they are within their rights. There is no constitutional provision giving the state powers over the family,None, Zero. The gate crashers who never showed ECL love in life and want to show him love in death must let go please
Let just cremate his body in South Africa. I don’t wait for sunset to solve my problem. I am an engineer. I do things differently from lawyers and business professionals.
Who is footing the bills for keeping the body in mortuary???
Awee Naimwe, let’s get serious as a Nation. There is no way the Lungu Family want to put conditions of dropping Tasila and Dalitso’s cases just to bring the Body. They stole and now want to use Lungu’s Body as a Bet? Shikenifye Uko kwine and don’t come back.
Who owns or has hired the plane?
WATCH LIVE: Who hired jet for Lungu?
Hey let them keep the body in South Africa and stop wasting Zambian tax payer money. They are totally disrespecting the late president with this tit for tat behaviour.The PF political hopefuls are trying to remain politically relevant by dragging this further seeing they wll no longer be able to use Lungu for their selfish ambitions.
The family Is not using any tax payers money lol but the government.
The last time I heard of such disagreements, money laundering and smuggling was the main motive. Ba Esther, these people destroyed your husband. Don’t let them destroy you.
Very Sad but may God almighty help peace and forgiving one another. No keeping garages in Zambia. This is one Zambia one nation.
Garages???
This is not good drama at all. That’s why politicians have failed us, because they like drama even on serious matters – Let us respect the dead, please! Enough is enough. One Zambia, one Nation. God bless Zambia.
The government is wrong to keep wanting to sneak in something new, just to flex their muscles. Makebi Zulu is the kind of lawyer you always want fighting for you.
This GRZ appears to be changing the goal posts True or not who knows
but judging by past events it’s their way or no way
Eventually the truth will come out
Whether we like it or not the family does have a significant say president or not
A lady mourning her husband can act like this I dont think so
If UPND had any compassion they would accomodate her most of the way
Allow the church elders to handle this with no political interference
Shame on UPND I suspect
Can only hope common sense is soon achieved
The family wishes must take precedence over any other wishes despite him being a former head of state just the way it happens in the developed countries
Don’t lie in developed countries of such nonsense will ever exist where the former head of state dies. Why do you people lie through your teeth for nothing why…? In the USA, family wishes or not govt of the day takes precedence over anything as the former head of state is deemed govt property. The family respects the tradition of funeral proceedings unlike in Zambia where the PF vultures still wanna contain to be relevant knowing that after the funeral, things will not go well for them. Why do they lack respect for the current President in HH..Just why..?
Don’t lie in developed countries no such nonsense will ever exist where the former head of state dies. Why do you people lie through your teeth for nothing why…? In the USA, family wishes or not govt of the day takes precedence over anything as the former head of state is deemed govt property. The family respects the tradition of funeral proceedings unlike in Zambia where the PF vultures still wanna continue to be relevant knowing that after the funeral, things will not go well for them. Why do they lack respect for the current President in HH..Just why..?
Security concerns were raised the minute Lubinda announced deployment of PF Security personnel to accompany the casket immediately the body lands. That was deliberate of him and he has invoked the response he desired. This is where you differentiate the wise from the gullible. The body language of some family members at the latest briefing is enough to suggest that not everyone is pleased with the latest antic.
Well said…….
And also the PF are not happy their caders will not be allowed into the airport…….
Well done GRZ , you can’t have confusion and mayhem in the airport…….
FED2031
Awe, let them bury themselves, Zambians are tayadi, mwandi!
Zambians are paying for this craziness!
Lungu is DEAD.Just burry his remains.Protocol or not protocol.Nothing will change.Stop being silly
Let them bury him in South Africa or Malawi,so that we remain as peaceful as usually.
Let just cremate his body in South Africa. I don’t wait for sunset to solve my problem. I am an engineer. I do things differently from lawyers and business professionals.
Who was born an engineer? You are a human being and are culturally brought up until you train to be an engineer. You are only an engineer for earning a salary not for your salvation. Now you want to run away from your humanity to hide in some secondary identity that you think uplifts you above what is natural?
Lungu is dead
Edgar is dead
Chagwa is dead
Pf is dead
UKA is dead
Tonse Alliance is dead
Better to bury the thug called lungu in SA, after all he wasn’t a true Zambian
And UPND ON ITS WAY
You can’t blame fulls like buckteeth who call elderly people as thugs. This is an upbringing issue which cannot be corrected in adult life. It is a poor parentage issue and this is exactly how it manifests itself
The only authority on this funeral is the family. No matter how ignorant, political and mischievous one wants to be, it is only the family which should have the final say. You can write volumes and volumes of what you want on Lusaka Times but does not change the fact. If you are tired of the drama being caused by the goverment, well go and sleep. Funerals must never be hijacked please. You are not wanted at the funeral. Do some thing else
Totally agree….
However when security or state protocol issues are involved, there is no way GRZ can take a step back
FED2041
You can’t blame fulls like buckteeth who call elderly people as thugs. This is an upbringing issue which cannot be corrected in adult life. It is a poor parentage issue and this is exactly how it manifests itself
Cancel the state funeral. Cancel national mourning. Government is bending backwards to accomodate the family demands amidst all the provocation but it seems the family is not interested in burial but want to make a show of things and use the opportunity to disparage government at every level. Let them bring the body whenever they want. Let them bury wherever they want. Let the state just wash it’s hands off the whole event and let the rest of us move on with our lives.
I second!
It’s not even a state issue. He was in SA sick for 6 months and not even checking on him but now nu wanting to be chief mourners. ECL was head of state, yes, but family comes first. Infact he first had a family and vau head of state came later. Let the family mourn the way they want please
Real defintion of nonsense. Why putting the nation to a standstill. Just bury or burn it in SA.
Just advise your man to stay away,he is not wanted. What is so difficult pamene apa.
This is now turning out be like dealing with the tantrums of a spoiled or insane teenager….
GRZ should just withdraw the offer of a state funeral and carry out their security checks, and…….
Let the family and PF get on with burying the man…….
FWD2031
If this GRZ had got off it’s high horse this would have happened
It is now pointless trying to untangle this
It should be the church and family
UPND should understand what goes around comes around
History will Judge both the party and HH legacy Unfortunately
This will never be swept under the carpet
In the absence of constitutional provisions and guidance of the burials of former head of states, the wishes of the family will and should always remain paramount to any body’s else desires including the states’. We had the same controversies with Mwanwasas desired burial place and KKs. That is the reason why in developed countries, the family gives the state the program and the states executes to the later as the family desires. For some of us who do not wear political lenses when discussing national issues, this issue is being complicated by government.
Some misguided soul is even saying government should even cancel the state funeral, ignorant of course that the family did not even want a state funeral in the first place
The idea of wanting to gate crush where you are not wanted is affecting proceedings now.
Couldn’t care less for this bloke and his family. As chaotic in death as in life. Let them keep the body is SA.