Journalist questions claims of deterioration in Lungu’s remains, urges urgent inspection
JOURNALIST Mabvuto Phiri has questioned reports suggesting that the remains of late former president Edgar Lungu, currently held in a South African mortuary, may be deteriorating due to delays caused by ongoing court battles.
Phiri was reacting to reports that Two Mountain Funeral Company, currently holding the former president’s remains in South Africa, warned that the condition of Lungu’s body could be compromised if burial arrangements continue to stall.
Lungu died on June 5, 2025 in South Africa and is yet to be buried following legal proceedings birthed from the former first family’s insistence to bury him in that country while the Zambian Government wants to give him a State Funeral in Zambia.
Phiri argued that the claims by Two Mountains were highly questionable pointing out that the body has been in custody for less than two months.
Phiri further cautioned that the delays could psychologically prepare the public for a funeral without the traditional body viewing.
“At the rate we are moving, it is likely that we will hear the remains have been damaged to unrecognisable levels, which may further confuse the already divided opinion,” Phiri observed.
The journalist also raised concerns that undertakers might use the situation to justify unauthorised actions, such as recommending cremation before the legal case is resolved.
To avoid such complications, he called on government and the Lungu family to expedite the inspection of the body, agree on associated costs, and proceed with DNA analysis where necessary.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 21, 2024
The ECL family and their team is well capable of verifying if this is indeed the case. Preservation of dead bodies has been with us millions of years. It is not rocket science. There is no need for Hakainde and his sangomas to verify this. Nice try though.
In the meantime, the open grave remains, waiting for its rightful occupant.
“HE THAT DIGS HOLES FOR OTHERS, SHALL HIMSELF BE BURIED IN THEM”. -EDITH NAWAKWI.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Haalndigo Tyrol…well spoken my man. We preserved bodies for years even before fridges we invented. In any case do they think the Lungu family are not doing that already ? With this suspicious government of HH , the Lungu family are already inspecting the body because one day they can wake up only to find that the body has been stolen by Kabesha and Chabinga. This story is just to cause unnecessary alarm and panic when the Lungu family are already on top of things; therefore it should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. The blood speaks and Haman’s grave at the Embassy Park is waiting for him.
There is NOTHING THEY ARE VERIFYING. The LUNGU FAMILY want to do us “DONT KUBEBA” we know the tricks they are playing here. US ZAMBIAN WE NEED THE TRUE LUNGU and his body NOT LIES THAT THE BODY became compromised due to over staying.
Ba @ HaaIndingoTyrol SUPPORTER OF useless things!
Great you resurrected again. You NEW LAWYER IS VERY CLEVER. AFTER SEEING THAT HE CAN WIN THE case he is DRAWING THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO talking terms with Lungu. He is happy will go with KASAKA KA DALAMA AFTER this case even if the LUNGU’S loose
Please we want to know HOW LUNGU DIED. Either he was SHOT OR WHAT.
We don’t want monkey tricks. That man ate tax payers MONEYS!!
Political gimmicks we don’t want them
I meant KNOWING THAT THE LUNGU’S CAN’T WIN
If you’re are so concerned, why have you run away to London and speak from a distance. Come to Zambia and see for yourself the mess pf created in 10 years and what upnd are now trying to clean up from that mess. They have done a tremendous job under the circumstances. During your pf, you could never criticise the government unless you want to be beaten up by cadres. Don’t be silly and appreciate the good which upnd have done and tried to do to the best of their ability.
If you’re are so concerned, why have you run away to London and speak from a distance. Come to Zambia and see for yourself the mess pf created in 10 years and what upnd are now trying to clean up from that mess. They have done a tremendous job under the circumstances. During your pf, you could never criticise the government unless you want to be beaten up by cadres. Don’t be silly and appreciate the good which upnd have done and tried to do to the best of their ability.