PRETORIA, South Africa — The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu delayed the repatriation of his body from South Africa for a second time Wednesday after accusing the government of breaching funeral arrangements and ignoring the late leader’s final wishes.
Lungu, who was 68, died in a South African hospital of an undisclosed illness on June 5 where he had been receiving specialized medical treatment. The former president, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, was scheduled for a state funeral with full military honors.
Family lawyer Makebi Zulu announced from South Africa that it was Lungu’s wishes that Hichilema “should not be anywhere near” his body when he is buried. “It is our hope that someday his remains will be repatriated back home and buried,” Zulu said during a media briefing.
The standoff represents a dramatic escalation of the bitter rivalry between Lungu and Hichilema that dominated Zambian politics for years. Lungu beat Hichilema in a 2016 election, but their relationship deteriorated sharply when Hichilema was then imprisoned for four months in 2017 and accused of treason by Lungu’s government for his motorcade not giving way to Lungu’s on a road.
According to the family spokesperson, two specific government actions triggered Wednesday’s decision. On 16 June, the Road Development Agency (RDA) announced roadworks along the funeral route from Crossroads to Chifwema, without informing the family. Then, on 17 June, Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa released a statement limiting public access to the airport where Lungu’s body was to arrive again, without consulting the family.
The family claims these moves violated previously negotiated agreements about the funeral arrangements. A new government schedule showed President Hichilema leading the reception and a church service, directly opposing Lungu’s explicit wish that Hichilema not be involved in his funeral.
This marks the second postponement of Lungu’s repatriation. Lungu’s body was initially due to be repatriated last weekend following seven days of national mourning, but the family didn’t allow that because of disagreements over the funeral program.
President Hichilema has maintained a conciliatory tone throughout the dispute. Hichilema has offered his condolences to the family and said it should be a time for the country to show unity. Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said authorities “remain hopeful” the issue will be resolved.
The political rivalry continued after their rivalry continued in a 2021 presidential election, which was won by Hichilema. Even in retirement, Last year, Lungu, who remained influential in politics, accused Hichilema’s government of using the police to harass him and restrict his movements.
The family also alleged that the government initially prevented him from traveling to South Africa for treatment, a charge the government denied.
On Dec. 6, 2021, Zambian financial crime investigators sent a confidential memo to their counterparts in Eswatini alleging that Lungu had “accumulated wealth through corrupt activities,” according to documents later revealed as part of international investigations. Corruption “remains a dark stain on Edgar Lungu’s legacy as president,” Transparency International told the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
Zambia is currently observing 16 days of national mourning for the former president. He was praised during his tenure for a massive road-building programme, but also ran Zambia’s finances deeply into the red, with The country defaulted on its international debt in 2020, precipitating his election loss.
The funeral standoff leaves unclear when Lungu’s body will return to Zambia or whether a compromise can be reached between the family and government that would allow the former president to be laid to rest.
