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.

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.

Amid wild speculation and confusion surrounding the alleged death of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President Hakainde Hichilema has once again demonstrated leadership marked by maturity, calmness, and respect for national values.
While the Patriotic Front (PF) leadership and some of its supporters have chosen to react with panic, suspicion, and even political hostility, President Hichilema has maintained a dignified silence—choosing not to politicize the matter but to preserve peace and unity in the nation.

In any democracy, former heads of state are regarded not only as retired leaders but as national assets. They symbolize the country’s history, transitions, and lessons—whether good or bad. It is therefore important that issues concerning their health or well-being are handled with the utmost responsibility, not political recklessness.

The recent behaviour by some PF officials and sympathizers, sadly, reflects the same emotional and confrontational style of leadership that cost them the 2021 general elections. Instead of issuing clear statements to calm their supporters or engaging the public with facts, some chose to fuel confusion through conflicting messages on social media, further dividing an already tense public space.

President Hichilema’s silence is not ignorance—it is strategic leadership. It speaks volumes about his commitment to national unity and his refusal to be dragged into political drama at a time when the country needs clarity, not chaos.
It is high time the PF leadership and those close to the former president family come to terms with reality. The public deserves honest, respect during the mourning period—not political manipulation or blame games.
Zambia belongs to all Zambians—past, present, and future. In moments of uncertainty, the country looks to its leaders—both in and out of office—for guidance and maturity. President Hichilema has shown that. It’s now up to others to do the same.

By UPND BEYOND 2026

In the Silence of a President: The Pain We Refuse to See

By Mambo Tembo

In moments of national grief, we often seek voices strong, comforting, or even apologetic. But when those voices go silent, we are quick to fill the void with anger, suspicion, or judgment. Yet silence is not always indifference. Sometimes, silence is the heaviest burden a man can carry and perhaps today, that burden rests squarely on the shoulders of President Hakainde Hichilema.

Zambia is mourning not only the death of its Sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, but also the symbolic death of a reconciliation that never came to pass. The President’s silence in this moment is not a declaration of coldness or hatred. It is, perhaps, a reflection of the complexity of emotions political, personal, and deeply human.

We must remember, President Hichilema did not just lose a political rival. He lost a man with whom history entwined his own. Their story full of rivalry, tension, and political stratagem was, at its core, a tale of two leaders bound by destiny and divided by ideology. And now, one is gone, and the other remains  haunted not just by what was done, but by what was never said.

Can you imagine the ache of that silence? The weight of unsaid words, unextended hands, unhealed wounds? We often forget that presidents are also people, and people feel. Behind closed doors, in the quiet corners of the State House, there may be tears that will never reach the public eye. There may be private prayers for a man whose public relationship was fraught, but whose departure has left a profound emptiness.

Many Zambians, understandably, are pained by what they see as delayed compassion. But have we considered that the President’s silence may be his deepest expression of sorrow? That perhaps he is mourning in the way men sometimes do quietly, painfully, and privately? Politics demanded they never show weakness. Now, death demands they show humanity.

It is easy to forget that beyond his role as Head of State, HH is a man, flawed, emotional, perhaps even regretful. It’s possible that deep inside, he carries the weight of missed chances: a handshake never offered, an apology never made, a final moment of mutual respect denied by the unrelenting grip of political gamesmanship. Perhaps the thought that he might have reconciled with ECL  not for cameras or campaigns, but for peace of heart, now stings more than any criticism ever could.

There are nights, perhaps, when he sits in the dark with the flicker of memory hearing old speeches, remembering fierce debates, or recalling the way the crowd would roar at ECL’s mention. What a paradox it must be: to have politically battled a man with all the might of the State, only to now quietly wish for one more moment to say something… anything… human.

This is not a call to excuse the past. There are valid grievances about how Edgar Lungu was treated. But it is a plea to recognize the human tragedy that overshadows the political one. HH is not gloating. He is grieving. And grief, unlike policy, cannot be timed or scripted.

Tyler Perry’s Straw reminds us how people can find themselves trapped in consequences they never intended. Perhaps HH now stands at that very crossroad , where politics ends and conscience begins. A man reflecting not on power, but on humanity. And perhaps, when time softens the sting, he will speak, maybe even apologise not as a President, but as a person.

Until then, Zambia must rise above its divisions. To mourn Edgar Lungu is to honour not just his legacy but the dignity of reconciliation we failed to achieve. And to understand HH’s silence is to acknowledge that sometimes, the deepest pain is the one that cannot be spoken.

So let us hold back from weaponising our sorrow. Let us not use death to score points in the game of survival. Let us reach for our shared Zambian soul  one built on ubuntu, one drenched in compassion, one that knows the meaning of crying together even when we disagree. One Embodied in ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION.

Let us grieve as one nation. Let us forgive. And let us hope that from this sorrow, a more compassionate Zambia will rise , one where silence is not feared, but understood.

M’membe Accuses Hichilema Government of Hypocrisy and Arrogance

Lusaka, Zambia – June 10, 2025 — In a strongly worded statement, Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has launched a blistering critique of President Hakainde Hichilema and his United Party for National Development (UPND), accusing the administration of deep-seated hypocrisy, political manipulation, and moral detachment from the Zambian people.

In a post titled “ZAMBIA TWASEBANA!” — meaning “Zambia, we have embarrassed ourselves!” — M’membe expressed grave concern over what he termed “a dangerous political culture” rooted in arrogance and denial. According to him, the current leadership portrays itself as intellectually superior, leaving no room for dissent, humility, or introspection.

“With Mr Hichilema and his league, everybody else is expected to remain silent, blind, and domesticated like animals,” M’membe stated, denouncing what he believes is a deliberate silencing of alternative voices.

He accused the UPND of engaging in “manipulation, deflection and denial,” suggesting that the ruling party often shifts blame to victims instead of taking accountability. “Even when publicly called out,” he added, “they offer no explanations, empathy, or apologies  only more deflection.”

The opposition leader’s remarks come amid rising public frustration over perceived insensitivity and governance shortcomings. While the government has not responded directly to M’membe’s latest remarks, UPND officials in recent days have dismissed similar criticisms as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.

However, M’membe insists this is more than political rivalry, it’s a moral crisis.

“It is deeply unfortunate that a country as hopeful and promising as Zambia is being led by people who seem so detached from the basic tenets of humanity, justice, and truth,” he lamented.

Calling for what he termed a “return to conscience leadership,” M’membe urged citizens to demand a leadership style that prioritizes compassion, humility, and moral integrity.

This is not the first time the Socialist Party has publicly condemned the UPND. M’membe has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of what he sees as the neoliberal elitism of the current administration. But this latest message , invoking God, conscience, and national shame is among his most emotionally charged yet.

As Zambia continues to navigate economic hardship, rising inequality, and political polarization, such statements reflect a broader debate over the country’s direction and the credibility of those in power.

“May God help Zambia,” M’membe concluded, placing the burden not just on leaders but on a society grappling with what kind of nation it wants to become.

The Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, held a press briefing addressing what he described as misinformation and politicization surrounding the death of Zambia’s former President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Speaking at the briefing, Hon. Mweetwa confirmed that the government is actively engaging with the family of the late President to ensure that all funeral arrangements and protocols align with the family’s wishes. He stressed the importance of granting the late leader a “befitting and dignified send-off.”

However, the Minister expressed deep regret that some members of the Patriotic Front (PF), the former ruling party, are using the funeral period to engage in what he called a “political fiesta,” turning national mourning into a platform for squabbles and political point-scoring.

“It is unfortunate that the PF leadership is attempting to use the passing of President Lungu as a political springboard to gain relevance,” Mweetwa said, calling on all national leaders to exercise restraint and leadership in keeping with Zambia’s values as a Christian nation.

On Allegations Surrounding Medical Evacuation

Responding to claims that former President Lungu’s death could have been avoided had he not faced delays in medical evacuation, Mweetwa clarified that there was never any travel ban imposed by the government.

He further criticized the PF for what he described as double standards: “When our Ministry disclosed that the former President was undergoing chemotherapy, there were immediate threats of legal action, and yet now they admit he was seriously ill. This is deeply contradictory.”

On Withdrawal of Presidential Entitlements

Addressing another contentious issue, the Minister firmly denied that the government withdrew any entitlements that were legally due to the former President. He emphasized that Lungu enjoyed full benefits following his written declaration of retirement from active politics.

“According to Chapter 15, Section 5 of the Laws of Zambia, a former president who returns to active politics forfeits those benefits. President Lungu himself triggered this provision by resuming political activities,” Mweetwa explained.

He also noted that Lungu is the only former President in Zambia’s history whose immunity was not lifted after leaving office—a point he said underscores President Hichilema’s commitment to democratic norms.

On Rumors of Poisoning and Repatriation
The Minister categorically dismissed allegations that the late President may have been poisoned or that Zambian agents stormed a South African medical facility to retrieve his remains.

“If any such incident occurred, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is not aware and certainly did not authorize it,” he said. He condemned the allegations as “highly misplaced and a misrepresentation of the Zambian way of handling national grievances.”

Appeal for Calm and Responsible Reporting

Hon. Mweetwa concluded by urging both the local and international media to treat statements from certain PF leaders with caution, noting that not all are rooted in fact.

“As a country, we cannot allow inflammatory statements to promote anarchy. We call upon all Zambians to remain calm and unified during this difficult period, and to give our late former President the respect and honour he deserves,” he said.

President Lungu’s death has marked a solemn period for the country. A seven-day national mourning period has been declared from June 8 to June 14, 2025.