I was willing to announce Lungu’s death but the family refused to engage – Hichilema
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says he was willing to announce the death of his predecessor former president Edgar Lungu after he learnt of it in the early hours of June 5, 2025 but the family of the former president refused to confirm with him.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Lm7HZAy7d/?mibextid=oFDknk
President Hichilema acknowledged that the announcement shouldn’t have come from the family but it is sad that things turned out that way.
“In our case, my colleague was in the hands of the family. I knew he (Lungu) had passed on, early in the morning of the 5th of June,” said President Hichilema.
“I decided to say nothing until we consulted the family. And I reached out to the secretary to the cabinet, my team around, I said, I cannot announce the death before the family is engaged. The family refused to engage us.”
He added that while government was struggling with how best to engage with the family, Lungu’s death was announced by his daughter Tasila.
“The family made a public announcement. Once they made a public announcement, that’s the time I said, that’s confirmation. It shouldn’t have been like that, but it’s like that,” explained the Head of State.
“And the same day, I issued a statement. I didn’t take 48 hours, as people said, the report said. Why am I saying this to you? I think it’s important as citizens for you to be aware of this information. Because I scan what’s going on social media, a lot of them. So that’s the circumstances that we find ourselves in, but the point is that, that’s our desire to barricade.”
The President further said people must understand Lungu was not just an ordinary citizen and he was the only former president who died with his immunity.
“I know amongst yourselves there’s probably polarisation of views, but really, he was not an ordinary citizen. He was president. He was the only president who lived after leaving office and went to his lord with his immunity intact.”
“Those who lived before him, after the president, they all had their immunities [withdrawn], President Kaunda, President Chiluba, President Banda. Again, contrary to what is being said in the public media, facts are there staring at us,” stated President Hichilema.
He added that if Lungu is not buried in Zambia, citizens must understand that government has really tried and it is just beyond their control to do anything…https://kalemba.news/politics/i-was-willing-to-announce-lungus-death-but-the-family-refused-to-engage-hichilema/
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 24, 2025
Yes ECL was no ordinary citizen but former President. However, truth of the matter is that you never treated him as somebody who served in the highest office.
Iwe Dr Kaoma …. IMMUNITY FOR LUNGU WAS INTACT. ECL was well treated. He is a MAN WHO HAD CONFUSION and Left confusion wherever he treaded on. Confusion inPF, Confusion Government and you name it.
Were you eating with him??? He was lucky HH has a big heart. If it was Chiluba or Sata or Mwanawasa, Lungu would have danced pelete. He gassed us, beat us with his Cadres, Stole our money, killed some of our brothers and sisters and you come and say HH treated him badly for recovering what his family stole without stripping him of his immunity??? Muletasha shikulu mwalisambilila!!!
You tried let the family and Ba PF do as they wish.
Anderson , you must be a serial and pathological liar , you have always wanted to remove his immunity but you lacked evidence to support your evil intentions. You slipped Lungu the dignity, decency and more importantly restricted his freedom of expression, movement and the right to be treated as human being in a humane way.
You are sick to core because your lies are poisonous and despicable. You are hurting people so much that no one can forgive.
We have worked in government at the highest levels at plot one. When former president Lungu died the president of South Africa was first informed who later informed HH this is not a lie the truth but the truth. The question is why did they declined to speak to HH ? The truth is you started even misrepresenting the facts to persecute his family and those who were close to him. Today you want the person you hated most to Be your best friend in death when in life you denied him and castigated him like leper.
Shame on you
Shame on you. Absolutely everything you have written is nonsense and lies. Just cry quietly and find a new meal ticket.
If ecl immunity was lifted the Man could have died in prison. Who doesn’t know what Edgar did during 7 years ? HH deliberately let him enjoy his retirement despite his misrule. So HH should be appreciated for such gestures. Fighting corruption seem to be the only mistake HH has done, but to most Zambians that’s the best thing this government has done
Only thieves are not willing to appreciate this ! HH has simply done the right thing and those aggrieved have hidden social and political agendas. No doubt come 2026 a landslide victory iis waiting for HH. The majority of Zambians are happy with his performance and achievements so far.
Stay strong mr.president,we don’t need to understand you,we are the witness to this and we will live to tell a story even to our grand children.we were there when Dr FTJ was in court in and out ,how he was reduced to a common citizen,we saw how Mr Banda was treated and we witnessed how the ECL’s government took KK’s family to court for to have him burried at Embassy park against his wish.Today they think we have forgotten.we are silently following this issue until we see its end.If they choose to burry in south Africa so be it.