State expresses regret, assures ongoing dialogue with family and South African authorities
The Zambian Government has confirmed that the remains of the late Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu,were not repatriated to Zambia on the expected date of Wednesday, 18th June 2025. In a press statement released by Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, the Government acknowledged the national disappointment and reaffirmed its commitment to securing a dignified and united send-off in consultation with the bereaved family.
The statement reveals that despite diplomatic engagements and progress made through joint discussions with the Lungu family and the South African Government, the anticipated arrival was delayed. The Government maintains its readiness to honour the late President with a State Funeral and full military honours, pledging continued engagement until an amicable resolution is reached. Church leaders have been thanked for their neutral mediation.
Full official statement
Republic of Zambia
Press Statement for Immediate Release
The Government wishes to inform the nation that the remains of the Late Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, were not repatriated to Zambia today. We acknowledge that this is contrary to the previous announcement that the remains would be received in Zambia, today Wednesday, 18th June 2025.
This is not the outcome we sought. We acknowledge the disappointment this may bring to many, and we share in that sentiment. Throughout this trying time, you, the Zambian people, have exemplified the core values that define us in our motto of
“One Zambia, One Nation”.
Over the past two weeks, the Government of the Republic of Zambia has been fully engaged with the bereaved family of our late Sixth President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to secure the dignified repatriation of his mortal remains from South Africa and the conduct of a State Funeral here at home. Government has also made efforts to engage the Government of the Republic of South Africa to assist with the repatriation of the remains of the late former Head of State through diplomatic efforts which resulted in the arrangement for military honours to be accorded at the send off ceremony of the late former President of the Republic of Zambia.
Despite the challenges encountered along the way, the discussions yielded significant progress. On Saturday, 14 June 2025, Government and the family reached a common understanding, after which a joint press briefing was held in Pretoria on Sunday June 15, 2025. A detailed programme was then publicly announced by the family, outlining the arrival of the body in Lusaka on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, and the burial on Monday, 23 June 2025. In this same joint address, it was announced that the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema would superintend over the State Funeral, as Head of State.
The Government and the people of Zambia are as per our laws and tradition, on matters related to the handling of the affairs of a deceased former Head of State still prepared to accord our 6th Republican President with full military honour’s due to him as a former Head
of State of this country. The State Funeral was to honour his services to this nation, and to accord the people of Zambia an opportunity to bid him farewell and a dignified funeral.
Nevertheless, Government remains open, and indeed committed, to re-engagement until an amicable resolution is achieved.
In that spirit, we are grateful for the continued mediation by senior church leaders who are faithfully serving as neutral facilitators between Government and the family. Their counsel and prayers are most welcome at this delicate hour.
The Government wishes to appeal to each one of us to remain calm, united, and prayerful. Let us avoid speculation, divisive rhetoric, or actions that may inflame emotions. Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu served this nation at the highest level. He deserves a final resting place marked by dignity, decorum, and national solidarity.
At an appropriate moment, the President will address the nation and provide further guidance. Until then, the Government will continue its consultations with the family, mindful of the need to accord our late former President the honour commensurate with his office and service.
May the Almighty God guide our deliberations, comfort the bereaved family, and bless the Republic of Zambia as we navigate this trying period together.
I thank you, and may God bless our great nation.
Patrick Kangwa
Secretary to the Cabinet
Released to the Media
18th June, 2025
So why was the airport not closed for the arrival of Mwanawasa and Satas remains? Awe, you are special. Just causing problems where things are straight forward
Family is the final authority on this funeral. And they must not be demonised for sticking to what they want. This not the 1600s where the state will dictate, no this is 2025. NO, please. The government is unnecessary delaying this funeral, we want to bury with dignity and go back to our lives. You agree things and start changing, with whose authority?
Respect the wishes of the family please. You agree things then you start adding things. ECLs family comes first in the descision making in this, infact the order is his Family first, his party second then the state and we the people third
And attention-seeking PF ex politicians 4th
You know if you have advisors like Wynter Kabimba and Laura Miti, they can mislead you to close the airport to mourners. And ati lawless warlord Chabinga was even on the invitation list to the airport, very provocative. I hope it is not true
#Respect the wishes of the family
The government has made a genuine effort, but it appears that PF and his family have their own agenda. People are tired, it’s time to move on.
Move on Blago, nobody is stopping you. Infact what are you waiting for? Family and genuine mourners will mourn the way we want, and not dictates from anybody. Please move on, we have no shortage of mourners. Infact when you move on, we expect that you will make an attempt to start correcting the economy which UPND has messed up. I can send you the economic stats from the time you took over.
@Lesident, we actually have. We have not lost sight of the sheer arrogance of the party he led. The anarchy brought on by the cadres that run amok, the gassing of people, the wealth amassed in a such a very short time., the kolaption….. Adding to all this, the sheer craziness of holding the mortal remains for selfish personal gain. He does not care, he has passed on and needs to be buried. Whether here or there should not matter anymore.
Lest you forget, Lesident, the previous govt just had to go and Zambians chose what was the only alternative. We just wanted you gone to never come back.
It also genuinely recognized Chabinga as the PF President, right after it genuinely helped sampa hold a bogus convention at mulungushi, it also genuinely blocked ECL to travel abroad for medical purposes and genuinely refused to fund his medical bills, yes we are very much aware of how genuine the new dawn government is when it comes to such matters, you will only come to know how genuine the people of Zambia genuinely love you when we got to vote next year
I’m breaker and I genuinely approve this message
Say what you want upnd has lost the moral high ground which ever way this turns out !!!
My concern are the outbursts from people like LauraM, so condescending. Now that she is joined by Dola, it’s become a lodge of duo egos.
Talking of egos: while the State wants to bulldoze all the way through, the family of the deceased put their foot down. Aren’t they important stakeholders who shouldn’t be belittled? What would the president lose by bending a little? What will the Lungu’s lose if they sacrifice a little?
Don’t forget, the country must move on. Blame games don’t move things. They stagnate matters.
Even Satan is surprised,how on earth can a person chose which plane to carry his body,who to receive at the airport,which road to use from airport,which provinces to view his body,who to come to his funeral,which preachers to preach at church service.You have even surpassed anything human or christian.
Muntu.
WE JUST WANTED YOU GONE, TO NEVER COME BACK.
Your wish has already been granted. No wonder you are fighting them down to the grave.
For four years you have failed on your reign, but busy dismantling the PF.
The international community is in fact watching the upnd stubbornness. GRZ thinks triumphing over the deceased is synonymous with winning a general election. The Lungu’s are just mere citizens who are not asking for too much. What do you think will happen if their insignificant wish was granted? Would government stop functioning?
The phobia of PF return to power.