Former First Lady ESTHER LUNGU has told a South African court that two days before her husband’s death, he complained about the ill-treatment he was subjected to by the Government.
Ms Lungu said at the time, the sixth President, Edgar Lungu, was sedated by medical personnel so that they could insert a ventilator.
She said Mr Lungu repeated his wish that, in the event of his death, the people who made his life difficult,even preventing him from seeking medical care,should not be anywhere near his body.
Ms Lungu said it was her late 68-year-old spouse’s wish that President Hakainde Hichilema should not preside over his funeral.
“I personally spoke to the late President Lungu on 3 June 2025 for the last time, shortly before he was sedated in order to insert a ventilator.
“Among other things, he complained about the ill-treatment that the Applicant (the State) had subjected him to, repeated his wish that if he died, the Applicant should be nowhere near his body or funeral, and stated that he had also shared this wish with the Zambian researcher, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, when they met on 18 May 2025. This was a deeply traumatic experience culminating in a painful farewell.
“The late President Lungu did not awake again after that and passed away on 5 June 2025 in the hospital where he was being treated,” Ms Lungu submitted before the Pretoria High Court.
“I pause at this juncture to highlight that the late President Lungu was a deeply religious man, devoted to his faith, who regularly attended church and often sought counsel from bishops and spiritual leaders during times of personal and political hardship.”
She added that “in our private conversations, he confided in me on more than one occasion that he would not be afforded a dignified send-off in Zambia befitting his position as a former Head of State by the State or the President.
“His desire to be mourned and buried in the absence of the current President was therefore not only personal and spiritual but also grounded in his well-founded fear of continued disrespect and dishonour,” Ms Lungu submitted.
Mr Lungu died in South Africa on 5 June 2025 while seeking medical attention in the neighbouring country, where he is said to have “fled” to in January.
The widow added that shortly after her husband’s death, there were several discussions between her family and the Zambian Government to finalise the late President’s burial arrangements.
“The Applicant’s (Zambian Government’s) affidavits do not accurately reflect these discussions.
“It will be clear to the Honourable Court that no final agreement was reached with the family regarding the funeral proceedings or where the late President Lungu would be laid to rest, as the Applicant kept changing positions.”
Ms Lungu said her family accepted and respected Mr Lungu’s wishes and, upon his passing, began planning for a private burial.
But an impasse arose between the Lungu family and the Zambian Government regarding the burial of Mr Lungu.
The family accused the Government of not being sincere with the burial “agreement”, especially regarding the deceased’s wish that Mr Hichilema should not preside over the funeral.
“During the late former President Lungu’s time in South Africa, he was open and consistent in expressing his wish that, upon his death, the current President should be nowhere near his funeral or body.
“These intentions were communicated on numerous occasions to me and other family members. His reasons were rooted not only in his personal mistreatment, compromised safety, and medical care but also in the principled rejection of a ceremonial burial by a government that had, in his view, forsaken and persecuted him in life.”
Ms Lungu added that it was also specifically stated by Mr Lungu to his lawyer, Makeni Zulu, in April/May of 2025, when he was already severely ill, that he did not want the State or, alternatively, the current President to preside over his burial proceedings if he died.
“He stated that it was immoral and disrespectful to subject a person to rites they did not believe in during their lifetime, at their funeral, and worse still, to have a perceived enemy superintend over their funeral as if they were spoils of war,” she added.
The former First Lady said Mr Lungu went to South Africa to flee from being “persecuted” by the State.
Ms Lungu added that it is undesirable for herself and her children to continue residing in Zambia on a permanent basis.
“It is glaringly clear that the conduct of the Zambian Government has fallen far short of what could be described as honourable or lawful.”
Ms Lungu also criticised the Zambian Government’s decision to sue her grieving family and prevent it from burying Mr Lungu’s remains.
“Rather than treating the late President Lungu with the dignity befitting his status, or showing compassion to his family, the Government has, regretfully, acted with political vindictiveness and disregard for basic human rights,” she added.
The family insists that the Zambian Government has not stated where Mr Lungu should be buried, because the law in South Africa gives the next of kin the right to decide.
This is in a case where Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, has filed a lawsuit seeking to have Mr Lungu’s remains repatriated back to Zambia for a State funeral and burial.
by:
MWEBANTU
Central Zambia
July 12, 2025
”Ms Lungu added that it is undesirable for herself and her children to continue residing in Zambia on a permanent basis.” Balekeni abantu twikale nabo kuno.
The irony of this woman is that she in court to explain where she got the money to build flats, gave money to relatives to hide for her and sent the cops on them when they spent the money they knew was ill gotten; and today sge wants to speak of “ill treatmemt”.
Were the people of Zambia NOT mistreated by the manner her husband abused his position and she was a beneficary?
Some people should not hide behind empathy that they want to seek over the death of Edgar Lungu. Reality and the end of the road to their criminal abuse of Zambians came to an end. Playing victim today doesnt negate the occurances and the facts.
HaaMulenga, uli buti? Are you going to vote for your MP Cornelius Mweetwa again in 2026? Your MP has failed your people in Choma.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Indigo, non performers will not see Parliament in 2026. But neither will “wanna be” pretenders in the opposition. You sing this song everyday. Did you take your psychotropic meds today? Seems that are working and trying to make light of usual empty rethoric. Where is your atlernate “alias” ego (Emmanuel Mwamba) the cat cut his tongue? And Zambiano your bull terrier? And the name is Mulenga not Muulenga or Haamulenga.
Mulenga…your level of ignorance is dangerous to yourself, the community and your family if at all you have a family. It is common and basic knowledge that even a prisoner who is already convicted has a right to medical treatment under the human rights charter to which Zambia is a signatory. Secondly it is common and basic knowledge that even countries at war such as Ukraine and Russia has a dignified way of treating the injured in war and prisoners of war as defined by the Geneva Convention. Therefore, what HH did by denying ECL medical treatment was a very serious abuse of fundamental human rights and if HH has a conscience , he wouldn’t even be doing what he is doing to the Lungu family today.Because he has no conscience, he can’t see it, but Zambians and the women and widows in Zambia will deliver their judgement soon. The act of giving a dignified send off to ECL as purported by HH and his government is a mere face saving activity and political stunt to show they care when it is there in black and white that they never cared and they don’t care except to win votes. Zambians are not fools. Cyber law is here to oppress the citizens of this great country, but remember Cyber Law will not be there when eligible Zambians will be in the voting booth to deliver their fair judgement on HH and whether you like it or not ECL’s death and the treatment of the widow will be a factor. I rest my case….ZAMBIAN IN THE DIASPORA- LONDON – UK
It seems you PF supporters say things which yourselves don’t believe. Aren’t you the same people who have singing on top of your lungs that you built a lot of hospitals in Zambia? Then what are those hospitals for if you can’t use them? You spent billions of dollars on the hospitals you don’t want to use, what logic is there in that?
You see to live under some rock and are oblivious to reality. Geneva Convention did Lungu apply that same Gevena Convention that you seem to want to get personal with me when you want to drag my family into the conversation?
1. Read the title of the article. Lungu fled. What does fleeing imply? What was he running from?. It there is any iota of reason between your ears. One doesnt run when they have nothing to fear. He knew exactly what he and his family were running from.
2. We have only seen an excerpt of possible correspondence between the state and Lungu and his agents in his affairs (medical included). From the public statements to clear the lies that you and Makebi have spread regarding Edgar Lungu’s health, the Secretary to the Cabinet was very concise. His office as government representive handed the matter. Stating to us the Public what he and Dr. Njbovu had done to assist.
3. Its the law that took the benefits from Mr. Edgar Lungu when he opted to rejoin politics. Lungu suggested that UPND had something to do with Miles Sampa claiming the helm. But its now clear that Miles as we have seen before is a person who is opens his mouth before he thinks. Lungu was warned about the law and its consequences. As a lawyer he ought to have known better. But instead called Presidental benefits “crumbs”. Is that not an insult? He was part of government. Why did he not improve those “CRUMBS”? Given the mess and bankrupt state Lungu left the state do we as a state have the capacity to do better? So instead of making noise in a country not of your birth, calling yourself a Zambian in the diaspora (like its some sort of badge of honour). Come back to Zambia and provide leadership to the “messed up” party called PF. Maybe that way you can face the facts that the party needs a total baptism from the crimes it perpetuated on the Zambian people with Lungu. His family’s sudden aquisition of wealth to afford to have spent One Million rands (which by the way is only slightly more than a million Kwacha) and amount that is less than months payable amount to Edgar Lungu had he not called the same amount crumbs.
4. Edgar Lungu was a POSSIBLE subject of investigation and court process. His daughter in court had admitted that the wealth that she had foreited was bequethed to her by her father.
Its common knowledge how much Lungu made as Minister and President. Its also common knowledge where Edgar Lungu lived drunk with prior to joining government. An area in the Chawawa constituency. Not New Kasama, Roma (where after he became President was able to buy his brother a home), not Kabulonga or State lodge, but a home in that area which is modest. So explain to us where after Lungu was appointed Minister he was able to aquire such a vast amount of wealth? Well wishers? Bwana the game licences that were awarded to certain questionable individuals? They funded the PF campaigns. Are those the well wishers? At law there is a thing called “Quid Pro Quo”. Translated into English as “tit for tat”. If pushed it will be established that the said wealth was benefit for favours that Lungu got. A perfect example is what Trump is overtly doing. The America law is very clear about recieving gifts. People are not blind. Maybe that rock under which you live makes you blind.
Windfall wealth is traceable.
5. The insinuation that the rest of us are like you who (come here as aliases and possibly live off some politicans). Sorry to inform you but I have worked for what I have. Mostly likely before your parents were born. I have not recieved a payslip for over 50years. Suggesting I retired just after independence.
I believe we dont have a credible opposition to speak of and if you both to read my comments I am critical of HH and his Ministers. But unlike you. I dont base my opinions with “fickle and emotional outburst”. I follow Zambian political and economic indicators because it keeps me abreast of issues and informed. And critical when need be.
So be objective with yourself. Stop being emotional about a bunch of klepomanics that have no regard for the law. Maybe today is England is a shadow of its former glory that I had the opportunity to visit. I understand the immigrant population have invaded that country and the level of criminality is astounding. If crime is a normal there because the British leader have allowed England to be the washing machine for criminals we dont condone criminals here. Command has just lost his appeal. Munri and even GBM who stole from the state under Sata is a convict. So please being the diaspora is a joke today; every jim jack and jock is being kicked out as the owners of land have realised that most of you dont add value to that society; sgow off to those that care. Its not a badge of honour. If anything you are just embarassing yourself living off the “dole” and thinking that is an achievement.
Boss you are so Ignorant and an Idiot.Lungu was the Chief of the Armed Forces.The same Armed forces he looked after should salute him in his death,its protocol.As a civilian you can’t get it only those in the Armed forces. Now the Head of the Armed Force is HH.He has to be there when his soldiers are saluting their former boss.Its protocol.Lungu was not a Kangwalungwalu like you but a former President of Zambia.Other dignitaries and Heads of state are supposed to come for his burial.They are supposed to be received by the Zambian Head of State and protected by the Zambian Armed forces and HH.Its protocol.Its what happens all over the world.Common sense is lacking among many Zambians.I blame the education system besides hatred
Ill-treatment of HH by lungu is unspeakable , everyone knows this. HH was even put on deahrow by lung on fake traffic charges. Mulenga is right. Let mrs lungu comeback and Bury lungu at home.
Mrs Lungu, your husband decided, whether through your advise or that of the PF scroungers to jump back into the political fray, which is traditionally a ‘dog-eat-dog’ situation. The reasons for him doing so may be simple: Ge didn’t want to be seen to have abdicated his position of family patriarch while you, madam, Tasila and Co, were being dragged before the courts of Law to explain the origins of your sudden wealth. How then could ECL run away from the fight he promised he would fight to a bitter end? Lastly, thank you for now helping us to understand why Sishuwa writes such vitriol about the current government and the incumbent president. If Sishuwa was a man of peace, he should have asked to meet with HH to hear his side of the story. That’s what wise people do. There are three sides to every story: what the two people involved in the conflict say, and what God says about same conflict. So, Sishuwa is a de facto family spokesman, not just macabre Zulu. My relative died a brutal death on your husband’s watch, Madam Esther! Kuli imilandu kumulu, even as I write. “It has been appointed for a man to die once, and thereafter Judgement follows” – Hebrews 9:27. There is a judge who cannot be be bought or bribed – The sovereign Lord is that judge. I rest my case.
Put the facts straight! ECL was a bad man and claiming to have been mistreated by HH is a waste of time.Zambians removed ECl from government because of his brutality and corruption, thuggery etc; thus,untrusting HH through a popular vote,so what HH has done by fighting corruption and collect what belongs to Zambians is not even enough as many of us expected.This family should be allowed both; burring ECL on their own and also answer to the charges of corruption.We still need answers after burial.
Is this the admittance that he used a different passport with a fake name?