Ex-President Lungu’s Family Blocks Return Of His Body To Zambia

Edgar Lungu

Source: Africa Publicity

The family of former Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, has put a stop to the return of his body from South Africa to Zambia.

 

According to the family, the Zambian government has breached key agreements over his funeral.

 

Mr. Lungu’s body was scheduled to be flown back to Zambia today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, on a private charter plane.

 

The body was due to return after days of uncertainty and negotiations between the family and the government of incumbent President Hakinde Hichilema.

 

But putting a stop to the return of the body, the family says it “finds it very difficult to believe that the government will stick to their end of the agreement.”

 

According to the family spokesperson, Makebi Zulu, “Sadly so, that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return today.”

 

Mr. Zulu accused the government of releasing a draft programme of Mr. Lungu’s funeral without consulting the family.

 

President Hichilema was due to receive the body today upon its arrival at the airport in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

 

Mr. Lungu’s body was to be taken to his residence in Lusaka where it would lie in state ahead of his state funeral on June 22 and burial the following day.

 

But speaking from South Africa on Wednesday, Mr. Zulu says the government had deviated from the agreed programme.

 

He says “It is our hope that some day, his remains will be repatriated back home and buried.”

 

Mr. Zulu delivered surrounded by Mr. Lungu’s immediate family.

 

This is the second time Mr. Lungu’s family has refused to repatriate his body. There has been tension between the government and the family over who should control the funeral arrangements.

 

Mr. Lungu’s party, the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) which he led until his death, has backed his family’s stance and has accused the government of politicizing the burial process.

 

The late former President Lungu led Zambia from 2015 to 2021. He died in June 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

 

Zambia is observing a 16-day national mourning.

 

Mr. Lungu’s family says he left behind instructions that President Hichilema, his long-standing rival, “should not come anywhere near his body.”

 

The issue was apparently resolved following a deal that allowed for Mr. Hichilema to preside over a state funeral next Sunday.

 

In 2021, after six years serving as President of Zambia, Mr. Lungu lost the election to Hichilema.