Family of Former President Edgar Lungu Halts Return of Remains Amid Dispute with Government
South Africa, June 18, 2025
The family of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has announced the decision to halt the return of his remains to the family home, citing growing tensions and breaches of prior agreements with the government regarding funeral arrangements.
Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu told the public today that while initial discussions with government officials had resulted in a joint agreement on the handling of the late President’s burial, the family has since observed several actions that undermined that agreement.
Chief among the concerns is the unilateral announcement by the Road Development Agency (RDA) on June 16 regarding roadworks on the key route from Crossroads to Chifwema a road designated for the state funeral procession. The family contends that this was done without consultation and directly contradicted the agreed-upon funeral programme.
Further issues arose on June 17 when the Secretary to the Cabinet issued a public statement limiting public participation in the reception of the President’s remains, again without consulting the family. According to Mr. Zulu, the family was denied the opportunity to determine or invite attendees for this critical moment.
Additionally, a programme was released suggesting that upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the late President’s body would be transported directly to a church service and subsequently to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. This plan, too, had not been agreed upon by the family.
Mr. Zulu said despite raising these concerns with the Secretary to the Cabinet who acknowledged some errors; further publications of similar programmes continued to appear.
“For this reason and many more, the family find it very difficult to believe that the government would stick to their end of the agreement and have resolved, sadly so, that the mortal remains of President Edgar Lungu would not return home today.”
The family expressed hope that in the future, the late President’s remains will be brought home and laid to rest in a manner that respects both family wishes and national dignity.
“It is our hope that someday his remains will be recalculated back home and buried”
1.) There is an alternative route from Chifwema via the Southern Economic Zone. This route is less congested and connects to the southern part of the ring road. If there was consultation, it would have been clear that this route is the better one. And RDA road repair work could have continued without postponing them.
2.) The government restriction of the public at KK International Airport is an already existing prohibition. When we won the Africa Cup citizens somehow found themselves on the run way at KK International waiting to celebrate the victory. This resulted in diversion and delay of flights into and out of the airport for several hours. The then Inspector General of Police Martin Malama lost his job for this dangerous lapse of security that put human life at risk.
I know the man we are dealing with. The remains of our 6th President should be in his pocket, to Reap and to Rip Off. The man can’t change..it’s who he is.
It should always be about him and him alone..To abuse some one when alive, and to abuse when dead.
He can’t stand the sight of multitudes turning up at KKIA to receive the remains of ECL ..We should watch on our load shedded TV.
And now he wants to bulldoze his way and take the body to some church, presided over by some unknown Pastor, stand next to the coffin, and deliver some hollow speech.
It was agreed the Church service will be next week on 23rd June at the Show grounds to be presided over by the Catholic Arch Bishop Alick Banda, after the Valediction Tributes. The man doesn’t want this.
The man according to the family wants a new arrangement with the Church service today!
Our man has a very big problem. It’s not about the State Funeral, It should be about him and him alone. What a man!
Where are the elderly men in this clan?
Kindly allow my Comment Ba Zambian Observer. It’s a clear objective presentation!
No insults, just a sober and humble piece of writing.
The bottom line is when the body arrives at the airport the government takes over and issues of transporting the body is a government issue through the police. It is stupid to take Zambians for granted. The family can not be directing how the police do their work. That is a state function. Where is this stupidity coming from? Don’t misbehave because your friend told the nation that Lungu it not anoint anyone using the PF language. Lungu himself did not qualify to take part in the presidential election. Maybe talk to Chabinga and see if he’s willing to anoint someone else besides himself. We are sick of this stupidity. So Lungu’s remains will be kept on the plane in SA? There won’t be any more extension of the state mourning.
Like I said earlier umo alafwila po for this funeral to end. Just wait and see. Umo alafwila po. Zambians please read carefully what God is unfolding before your eyes. Receive it and interpret it well for the greater good. There is evil and good in this whole debacle. Chose and support well. God is trying to show you something.
Bury him ku SA kanshi, let the country move forward.
Please people let gvt stumps a dignified burial to the former Head of state simple as that
We only have one government and one President.Any parallel structure symbolizing or wanting to work as government is illegal.It is punishable.
There you go making threats of arrests again ba UPND. It will not work.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
I know the MAN we are dealing with. The remains of our 6th President should be in his pocket…to Reap and to Rip off. The MAN can’t change. It’s who he is.
It should always be about him and him alone. To abuse some one when alive, and to Abuse when Dead.
He can’t stand the sight of multitudes turning up at KKIA to receive the remains of
ECL. We should instead watch on our Load shedded TVs.
And now he wants to bulldoze his way and take the Body to some unknown Church, with an unknown Pastor to Preside over some service, stand next to the Coffin and deliver a hollow speech..and then take a detour to Mulungushi conference center.
THIS WASN’T THE AGREEMENT.
It was agreed the Church Service will be next week on 23rd June , at the Lusaka Show grounds to be presided over by the Catholic Church Arch Bishop Dr Alick Banda, after the Valediction Tributes. It’s like our MAN doesn’t want this!
The MAN according to ECL’S Family wants a new arrangement with the Church Service today!
Our MAN has a very big Problem. It’s not about the State Funeral …It’s about him and him alone..To Reap and to Rip off , even from the dead.
What a MAN!
Agreed.
Maybe he wants to take ECL to SDA, and somehow, he wants to see the body himself in private for reasons known only to him and his sangomas.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
You are just evil people who survives where there is confusion antagonism, thats your nature. Enemies of peace are here on this platform talking nonsense day in day out. We know them by their writings. The man you are talking about is not even involved in all these arrangements. He is still the president of this great nation; therefore, he has other matters as well to attend to concerning this great nation
Fake name Musonda, he is your president, not ours. There is no law that forces anyone to acknowledge someone as president. Remember that Hakainde and his followers never acknowledged ECL as their president, so we also do not acknowledge his presidency. Do not force matters. Twakana, tatulemufwaya. Fyonse imwe kupatikisha. Twaleni umungulu nobu fontini bwenu uko.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
You are a big problem Tyrol. Always on the negative side… I`ve come to like you through your foolishness* and your never give up attitude. I don’t mean to insult you though. Where do you find all this energy?
Ba Zambiano the same family that wanted to burry him privately today they want to have his remains be received as a former statesman by a huge multitude? Wonders..! Hope our female members of family who were paraded know what they’re doing..
The problem is that Hakainde wants to be near the body, yet the family have specifically said they do not want him near ECL.
Why does Hakainde want to be near ECL in death? Does he want to gloat over a dead man? Did his sangoma tell him that by doing that, he will become life president?
This government has been changing the program to include Hakainde to be near the body even at KKIA. Luckily, the ECL family are not stupid, and they will not allow it.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
These PF & Lungu family are scams. They don’t realise that a lot of people’s livelihoods have been on surcrifice to mourn Lungu! It’s high time those who loosing business because of the state funeral to do a class suing of the family of combined loss of damages. They court cases they have are not enough. They need something to keep them busy.
With due respect to the dead
All thus is happening because of danda head Tasila lungu Mwansa who thinks she is bigger than Zambia. Why should govt dance to her tune just leave the entire family to do what they want . Cancel the national mourning and back to offices. Zambia cannot carry on with this stupidity
Just as well. He was not a zambian therefore should not be buried in zambia.