- Late President Edgar Lungu left specific instructions excluding President Hakainde Hichilema from his funeral
- Funeral arrangements stalled due to disputes between the Lungu family, Patriotic Front (PF), and government
- Government wanted to give Lungu a state funeral, but the family insists on a private service
Zambia’s late former president, Edgar Lungu, reportedly left clear instructions that current President Hakainde Hichilema should “not be anywhere near” his body, according to a family spokesperson. This revelation has intensified tensions surrounding Lungu’s funeral arrangements, following his death in South Africa last week at the age of 68.
Plans to return Lungu’s body to Zambia on Wednesday were halted due to disagreements between his family, his party—the Patriotic Front (PF)—and the government over the mourning and funeral procedures.
Lungu and Hichilema had a long-standing political rivalry, with Hichilema defeating Lungu in the 2021 presidential election after five previous unsuccessful runs. Lungu passed away from an undisclosed illness, though the PF stated he had been receiving specialized medical care in South Africa. The party further alleged that his earlier travel was restricted by the government and that this may have contributed to his death—an accusation the government has firmly denied.
Zambia’s Foreign Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, led a delegation to South Africa to meet with Lungu’s widow, Esther, and his daughter, Tasila, in an attempt to resolve the impasse. The government has expressed its intention to give Lungu a state funeral, honoring his service as president from 2015 to 2021.
While the Lungu family had initially indicated they were open to a state funeral, they insisted on having input in key aspects, including who would officiate the service. In a video statement released Thursday, family lawyer Makebi Zulu reaffirmed that all preparations were in place for a private funeral in line with Lungu’s personal wishes. He reiterated the family’s position that President Hichilema should not attend or be associated with the proceedings.
Zulu criticized the government’s approach, saying it was acting as if the family had no authority over how the former president should be mourned. He emphasized the importance of honoring Lungu’s final wishes.
In response, Foreign Minister Haimbe acknowledged the family’s preferences but stressed that Lungu’s passing was a national matter. “We all want a dignified farewell for our former president,” he said.
The government earlier announced a seven-day national mourning period beginning last Saturday. However, the PF declared its own mourning timeline ahead of the government and rejected the official mourning venue—a government-owned lodge in Lusaka—directing supporters to gather at the party’s headquarters instead.
The ongoing dispute has left many Zambians confused and saddened, unsure of how to pay their respects. Legal expert John Sangwa told the BBC the controversy highlights the need for legislation outlining official procedures for the funerals of presidents and former leaders. Nevertheless, he emphasized that family wishes should ultimately take precedence.
Though Lungu had briefly withdrawn from politics after his 2021 defeat, he returned as a central figure in the PF with hopes of contesting the presidency again. However, the Constitutional Court ruled last year that he had already served the maximum of two terms permitted under Zambian law.
