THE Lungu family says in the event that President Hakainde Hichilema announces that he will not attend the burial of his predecessor, Edgar Lungu, they will travel to Zambia for the burial the following day.
Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu said the burial impasse between the Zambian Government and the family can be resolved within 24 hours, provided the family’s wishes are respected.
“If today (last night) the President (Hakainde Hichilema) said, ‘I will not attend Mr Lungu’s burial. I will hand over to the Vice-President, and we will give him his full honours and all,’ tomorrow we would start off to come to Zambia. It is that simple,” Mr Zulu said last night when he featured on Emmanuel Mwamba’s EMV podcast.
Mr Zulu called for prayers for the Government to ensure that reason prevails over the impasse.
“That is why we are saying let us pray for the Government so that reason prevails over self or ego, and the wishes of the family are respected.
“We have to respect the widow and the family. As for threats of arrest if I return to Zambia, we have not committed any offence. Let’s stick to the truth. We are here, and we will protect that wish even if it means any of us going to prison for wanting to honour the wishes of ECL,” Mr Zulu, a lawyer and politician, said.
Mr Lungu died four months ago, on June 5, 2025, in South Africa, where he had gone to seek medical attention.
After his death, an impasse arose between his family and the Government, leading to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha preventing the family from burying Mr Lungu in South Africa.
The court ruled that Mr Lungu should be repatriated to Zambia for burial in line with established protocols at Embassy Park, a decision the family is challenging in court.
There are also ongoing discussions outside court between the Government and the Lungu family in a bid to reach consensus over the disagreement.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, 25th October, 2025)
The title of the article shows that Zulu is not just a spokesperson but a major decision maker in the whole impasse. Why is he ready to go to jail if his role is just to pass the message of the decisions of the family? I rest my case.
And, in any case, who is fighting him?
Good point.
And who is Zulu fighting with to have Lungu buried with dignity? Who doesn’t want former late President Lungu to be buried with dignity? The dignity aspect is the interest of all including government of Zambia.
Bembas say ukusabaila, this is what MZ is doing now may be to maintain some relevance in the issue which has almost expired now. Who can send him to jail when he is just a spokesperson because not even Tasila or Esther can be sent to prison, for what? He is talking of a dignified burial, is that not what the State wants to do? And who can give a more dignified burial for Lungu than the State? Father forgive him for he doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Is Zulu accepting that if his told to bury lungu without opposition member, no cadres but just the family not even him nor that celibacy fornicator, but just an ordinary white mans funeral?
I think Mr. Makebi Zulu is exalting himself to something that he is not. Who has threatened him with jail? What offence has he committed for him to be jailed?
I think the government should just.let go of this matter let them bury in South Africa. They have made it very clear that we, the citizens of Zambia, have no part in the burial.
Their condition that HH should not attend the burial is unacceptable. HH is the physical representation of the State and you cannot have a State funeral without him. He can’t delegate because he is absent or committed.
The family know that they are making an outrageous condition that cannot be granted.
THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY GENETICALLY WRONG WITH ZULUS
MARK MY WORD !!!
Let them bury in South Africa and then seek their political vote from South African citizens not here.
Your wish may just be granted. But you need to come back to zambia for that to happen.
JUST REMEMBER, IN ZAMBIA A FUNERAL IS DONE WITH IN THREE DAYS OF THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE. THIS ONE IS NO LONGER A FUNERAL, BUT AN ARM TWISTING STUNT, ONE THAT WILL INVITE THE FACT THAT THIS PERSON NEEDS A PSYCHIATRIST TO EXAMINE HIS MENTAL STATUS.
THAT ACT OF 40 MILLION USD BEING FOFEITED TO THE STATE EATS AT HIS NERVES AND IF NOTHING IS IS DONE TO HELP HIM, HS FAMILY STANDS TO LOSE HIM.
THAT RECORD OF BEING A PARTAKER IN THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME JUST PRECLUDES HIM FROM STANDING FOR ANY LEADERSHIP POSITION IN GHIS COUNTRY. HE IS A DANGER TO THE GOVERNMENT COFFERS.
The Lungu family has been deceived and ensnared by Makebi Zulu, whose actions and statements are insincere, using the postponed burial of former Sixth President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to elicit sympathy and gain political advantage. Meanwhile, the Lungu family has been blinded by misguided loyalty and the false claims of allegiance from Makebi Zulu.
Conversely, the Lungu family and the PF believe that by delaying the burial of Edgar Chagwa Lungu, they are shaming the Zambian Government and President Hakainde Hichilema. However, the reality is that they are only causing themselves pain and humiliation. The significance of the funeral and burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has diminished due to the Lungu family’s misguided intentions.
It is quite disappointing and unfortunate to see the burial prolonged. Similarly, the Zambian Government should honour the wishes of the Lungu family, as this delay has tarnished the image of the entire nation. Often, it is better to let things go than to engage in a contest of unnecessary disagreements.