Lungu family says sorry for delaying repatriation, burial
THE family of late former president Edgar Lungu has apologised to the nation for the delay in repatriating and burying the former head of state, attributing the hold up to difficult negotiations with the government over his final wishes.
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Speaking at a joint press briefing in South Africa yesterday, family spokesperson Makebi Zulu expressed regret for the pain and confusion caused by the prolonged discussions.
“We apologise more sincerely for the inconvenience and pain that the protracted negotiations may have caused. We were doing our best to honour the former president’s personal wishes,” said Zulu.
“We understand that the events of the proceeding days had been difficult for Zambians especially supporters of PF.”
He noted that the days following Lungu’s death had been emotionally taxing for many Zambians, especially supporters of the Patriotic Front (PF).
According to Zulu, the late former president had laid out specific wishes regarding his send off which included private repatriation of his remains, having his body lie in state at his residence and explicitly excluding President Hakainde Hichilema from any proximity to his remains.
Lungu also allegedly wished for his body to be taken to Copperbelt and Eastern Province regions, which were places significant to his upbringing and political journey so that the locals could have the opportunity to pay their last respects.
He also requested that Archbishop Dr Alick Banda preside over the funeral service and that his body be accompanied at all times by a relative, an aide de camp, and his personal physician.
However, Zulu said not all these wishes were acceptable to the government.
The State had initially insisted that the body be received officially by President Hichilema at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre and did not agree to having the remains lie in state at Lungu’s private residence.
“The family found some of these conditions unacceptable,” Zulu stated, explaining that this disagreement led to the prolonged back and forth that delayed the funeral arrangements.
Following the deadlock, both parties yesterday held a joint press briefing announcing that a consensus had finally been reached.
Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa revealed that the body, originally expected on June 11, would now arrive on Wednesday, June 18.
Kangwa further announced that President Hichilema would preside over the funeral service and that the official mourning period had been extended to Monday, June 23.
To avoid unnecessary drama, Zulu said that PF acting president Given Lubinda would speak on behalf of the party at the funeral.
He added that government and the Lungu family had agreed to consult each other on who would speak at all official events.
Zulu noted the family’s commitment to honouring Lungu’s wishes within the framework agreed upon with the government, adding that they proceeded based on the state’s assurance not to betray that trust.
He also denied reports that the family had demanded the dropping of criminal charges as part of the funeral negotiations.
“The negotiations were never about pending matters in court relating to any of the members of the family or associates of the former president,” said Zulu…https://kalemba.news/local/lungu-family-says-sorry-for-delaying-repatriation-burial/
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 16, 2025
You are sorry because you were busy hiding all the money chagwa has stolen.
By now Chagwa’s body should be rotting
Makebi Zulu, you are a lawyer, show us proof of Lungu’s wishes in writing. Dont just yap, yap like a kaponya.
Criminals.When yo know you are dying you point at people who should not be at your funeral.You dont die with anger but forgiveness.I dont think ba Lungu was this heartless.Let the man rest in peace than people like Lubinda,Nakachinda and Makebi give us their own narrativ with their own selfish motive
That’s a blatant lie by Makebi Zulu. Him and the Lungu family are hiding the the loot hence the delay. I don’t believe that ECL said to anyone…listen I’m about to die in 2 mins here are my wishes:
Never heard of such a thing. You die without knowing you are dead. Nobody knows when…if the late President had said all that, then he was a fake humble guy who hated HH with passion even in death.
President HH should not slow down on the Lungu family after the funeral. They stole the money and so are guilty as charged. They never showed respect for the office of the current President. You have PF doing their own thing even campaigning for sympathy votes across the country from unsuspecting Zambians during the funeral when that should be there is mourning the 6th President. Silly politics..! Makebi Zulu will pocket lots of money at the end and dump the Lungu family. He ain’t got nothing to lose. He’s busy billing the Lungu family.
I urge Pres. HH not to relent his stance on corruption. If the Lungus stole the money then they should be punished just like anybody else. Or else you will set a bad precedent and all those incarcerated like Chilangwa, Chitotela, Bowman Lusambo etc etc should be released henceforth.
Also go after Lubinda by acting President by force and Nakachinda for falsehood that the former President might have been poisoned. A treasonous case.