Lungu Buried Tomorrow, No Body-viewing, Cameras Restricted
On Wednesday morning, June 25, 2025, the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and the family of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu prepare to conduct a strictly private burial in South Africa. The Zambian government remains notably silent.
Sources close to the arrangement say no public body viewing will take place, and access to photographs will be restricted. Only a small circle is expected to access the body. Among those flown in for the private rites is Archbishop Alick Banda, a long-time clerical ally of the PF during its time in government.
PF Secures Grave for R66,000 Near Winnie Mandela’s Resting Place
The burial plot, reportedly costing 66,000 South African Rands, is located near the grave of South African icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. That detail, while symbolic, underscores the sharp divergence from Zambia’s state burial traditions.
If executed, this will mark the first time in Zambia’s democratic history that a former Head of State is buried outside the country. And crucially, not at Embassy Park, Zambia’s Presidential burial site, where Lungu’s grave remains unoccupied.
No government statement has been issued. Embassy Park has not been declared closed. There is no published burial program, no military parade, no public tribute. Just speculation and screenshots.
The PF’s confidence stems from a South African media statement, issued Monday by Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola. While widely interpreted as a greenlight for burial, the statement is both respectful and careful.
“A state burial in Zambia represents the most fitting tribute,” Minister Lamola said, while also noting the legal obligation to honor the Lungu family’s private wishes.
No burial location or date is mentioned. No endorsement of a private South African burial is given. The message is diplomatically layered, not an approval slip.
Lungu himself, while in office, barred Hichilema from attending Kenneth Kaunda’s funeral in 2021. The irony is not lost on observers.
Lungu’s family insists on state honors while rejecting the authority of the state.
Zambia has not refused to bury Edgar Lungu.
-ZimEye
Waiting for IndigoTyrol to do his daily rant.
Iwe, I am at the funeral in RSA, show some restraint and respect. This is not the time for point scoring. At the end of the day, we are all Zambian, and we should stand as one. Politicians come and go, but Zambia remains.
Have a blessed day.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
@HaaIndigo Tyrol…. Today you have responded with 5 sense. !!! Very good of you!!
PF are in for CONFUSION. I hear HaaIndingoTyrol and Miles Sampa are denied access to view the body of the LUNGU…. A CORPSE TURNED into a political tool
Anonymous sources claiming no body viewing, no cameras are just hallucinations from a fake journalist trying to peddle a narrative.
There’s body viewing incorporated in a Catholic Mass. There are Catholic rites in a requiem Mass and the Coffin has to be opened for these to be performed.
So continue with your hallucinations..
For tomorrow you will see the Body of Edgar Lungu finally being laid to rest.
Of what benefit, whether there’s body viewing or not.
Just watching and reading. Not sure what’s true.
No body viewing, ka?
It’s no wonder the “body” could not be repartriated. Accusations against the government were a defensive measure.
Or is it plan B at work?
Let them please themselves, we are fed up of PF engineered disagreement and confusion. Zambia should continue moving forward. HH and UPND have done their best to reconcile matters but in vain. So let it be.
WAS EDGAR CHANGWA LUNGU A CATHOLIC MEMBER ?????
I MEAN WAS HE ATTENDING A CELL HOUSE (ICITENTE) WHICH ONE??
WAS HE BAPTISED ??? WHEN ?? AND BY WHICH FATHER???
WAS HE GIVING HIS MONTHLY RETURNS CALLED ICHISUMINO ?????
WAS HE PARTAKING THE EUCHARIST ??? UMUKATE???
After the dust settles I am curious to see where this will lead the Lungu family. Life goes on… even for them. I hope they’ve thought about that.
I do not think you will see them back in Zambia after the funeral. They have Residence Status in South Africa and I am sure they are also Citizens of other countries, even USA. They would be Fools to come back, what with all these Court Cases wrapped around their necks like African Pythons!!!
Fighting for Cargo without Value, not worth it anyway. Let those who benefit from cargo without value continue yapping yapping.
It’s not about cargo, but Zambian security. I have maintained, from day one, that the guy is not dead, but is enacting James Hadley Chase moves. He used JJ for dress-rehearsal.
My thoughts too.
In case our 6th President was a Catechumen, he’s considered as part of the Church because he was actively pursuing to become a member in the Catholic Church.
This means he qualifies for a Requiem Mass in the Catholic Church. A Priest can take up responsibility of teaching catechumens without making public announcements because he’s a Chief Catechist at his Parish or diocese.
No body viewing? Is it really lungu they are burying?
I smell problems for PF after this even the family will regret doing this because a lot of Zambians are not happy even the seat in lumeze by election the PF will lose it that will be a sign that people are not happy this is the down fall of PF as a party.
No wonder the PF and the Lungu family have been painting the UPND government black for no reason. We shall see after the burial what comes next. They have tied a long rope around their necks themselves. It will be difficult to escape. Zambians deserve respect and Pres. HH is the current commander in chief who also deserves much respect.