Understanding South Africa’s Diplomatic Stance on President Lungu’s Burial Dispute

The ongoing debate over the final resting place of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has taken on regional dimensions, following the visit to Lusaka by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.

His engagements with both the Lungu family in South Africa and the Zambian government have triggered mixed interpretations, with some suggesting Pretoria is backing one side over the other. However, a closer look reveals that South Africa is treading carefully aiming to uphold legality and neutrality.

At the heart of the issue is the delicate matter of who holds the right to decide President Lungu’s burial location. While the Zambian government has expressed the desire to grant the late President a state funeral and inter him on Zambian soil, the family currently in possession of the remains in South Africa has remained non-committal.

The situation presents a complex web of legal, emotional, and political considerations that both Lusaka and Pretoria are trying to navigate.

South Africa’s diplomatic stance is shaped by its own constitutional and legal frameworks. In South African law, the body of a deceased person especially a foreign national falls under the custodianship of the next of kin unless a legal dispute is lodged in court. This legal principle places the decision firmly in the hands of the Lungu family, as long as the remains remain on South African territory.

By visiting both parties, Minister Lamola is sending a strong but subtle message: South Africa’s role is not to mediate politically, but to ensure due process and open dialogue. Pretoria’s intent is to avoid accusations of interference, while making it clear that it respects the rights of the family under South African law. The visit should therefore be interpreted not as a political endorsement, but as a procedural and diplomatic engagement.

Supporters of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) must be cautious not to misread Minister Lamola’s visit as a victory or indication that President Lungu’s body is returning to Zambia automatically.

In reality, South Africa is creating diplomatic room to say: “We consulted. We listened. We respected all parties.” Should the matter remain unresolved, this stance gives Pretoria the moral high ground of neutrality.

For the Zambian government, the stakes are not only political but national. There is widespread consensus that President Lungu, regardless of political affiliation, deserves a dignified burial in the country he once led. Failure to find a resolution could create long-lasting divisions, deepen public mistrust, and cast a shadow over the legacy of both the current and former Heads of State.

From a public sentiment standpoint, many Zambians believe that burying a former President abroad would be unprecedented and culturally unsettling. In Zambian tradition, burial on home soil is seen as a return to one’s roots, a final honour. This makes compromise and consensus not only desirable but necessary for the sake of unity and national healing.

South Africa, for its part, is displaying its traditional foreign policy posture one grounded in legality, sovereignty, and non-interference. Rather than forcing a decision, it is encouraging both parties to reach a mutual understanding, knowing that any outcome must stand up to public scrutiny and historical reflection.

Ultimately, the situation calls for leadership that transcends politics. President Hakainde Hichilema’s government has a rare opportunity to demonstrate humility, magnanimity, and statesmanship by accommodating the family’s concerns while ensuring that the legacy of President Lungu is honoured respectfully.

In the end, history will judge this moment not by who won the argument, but by who put Zambia first. The decision of where President Lungu is laid to rest will echo beyond party lines and diplomatic borders. It will speak to the values of unity, compassion, and dignity the very pillars upon which nations are built and remembered.

June 23, 2025
©️ KUMWESU

TONGA SAYS RAPID KWACHA GAINS ARE POLITICAL MANIPULATION, PREDICTS ARTIFICIAL ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS.

By:Sun FM TV Reporter

The opposition Third Liberation Movement has described the recent rapid appreciation of the Kwacha against the U.S. Dollar as manipulation of the highest order, revealing that it does not reflect genuine improvements in the economic fundamentals.

In an interview with Sun TV News, party president Enock Tonga says while the currency gains may appear promising, they have not translated into a reduced cost of living for ordinary citizens.

He has cautioned that this disconnect raises concerns about the government’s intentions ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Mr. Tonga has therefore predicted that as the election period approaches, the public should expect artificial reductions in fuel prices and essential commodities aimed at winning political favor.

He has urged the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to avoid the temptation of what he describes as cosmetic economic adjustments and instead focus on sustainable solutions that genuinely improve citizens’ livelihoods.

By R. Chikanya.

A GOOD HEART THAT WILL NEVER BE APPRECIATED

The Painful Past – Political Persecution and National Trauma.

In the political history of Zambia, no man has endured more undeserved suffering, vilification, and persecution than President Hakainde Hichilema. Long before he occupied the presidency, he was branded an enemy by the very system he sought to reform. His only “crime” was standing for the truth. He was a man with a vision to serve his country better—but in return, the state machinery turned against him with brutal force.

The previous regime did everything imaginable to destroy him politically, socially, emotionally, and even physically. They made sure no corner of Zambia was safe for a UPND supporter. Wearing red, a simple party colour, became a declaration of war. Countless youths were shot at in broad daylight, and some still carry the bullets in their bodies. Peaceful protestors were met with teargas, arrests, and beatings. Zambia, under their leadership, became a battlefield of political intolerance.

President Hichilema was unlawfully detained for 127 days without committing any crime. He was thrown into solitary confinement, denied family visits, legal rights, and medical attention. He was treated worse than a convicted criminal, simply because of his rising popularity. They tried to break his spirit, but what they did not realize was that they were forging a leader of unshakable resilience.

In Mongu, he was hunted like a criminal, forced to flee into the bush as gunshots rang out around him. In the Copperbelt, he escaped through a rooftop from bloodthirsty cadres who had been instructed to “finish him.” They blocked him at airports, denied him entry into towns, and accused him of every possible crime—from land grabbing to mine privatization—none of which held truth.

They attacked not only him but his family, turning loved ones into weapons against him. It was not enough to paint him as a villain—they needed to strip him of dignity. The most humiliating moment came when he was denied a chance to mourn the First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. He watched the funeral on TV like a prisoner in his own country. They treated him like an outsider, even in national mourning.

The Culture of Oppression – Fear, Violence, and Tribal Hate

The previous administration introduced a culture of fear that poisoned every corner of society. It was an era where machetes and guns became political tools. Lebanese shops in urban areas sold pangas like tomatoes, because it became “normal” to carry one. Pupils walking to school could be attacked. Pregnant mothers feared wearing red chitenges. Marketeers and ordinary Zambians were regularly brutalized by cadres.

Their rule institutionalized tribalism, aimed particularly at demeaning and alienating the Tonga-speaking community. They dismissed workers based on surnames. Tribal hate was paraded on national television. Whole ethnic groups were insulted with impunity. Their mission was clear: paint Hichilema as a “tribalist” to isolate him from national appeal. They didn’t hate his policies; they hated his identity.

They introduced Bill 10, not to improve the Constitution, but to eliminate one man from contesting elections. Every move they made was not about development—it was about removing Hichilema by any means necessary. They feared his clean record, his economic knowledge, and the love Zambians had for him.

In all these dark years, Hichilema maintained his discipline. He never called for revenge. He never incited his followers to violence. Instead, he kept calling for peace. Even when no one was listening, he kept offering his good heart to the nation.

The Triumph of Peace – A New Dawn, A Different Path

In 2021, Zambians rose and made history. They voted out a violent regime and gave power to the man they once saw hunted through the bush. Hakainde Hichilema became President. And what did he do with that power? Did he arrest those who jailed him? Did he dismiss civil servants the way they did to his people? No. He forgave them.

Unlike past transitions, he refused to touch his predecessor’s presidential immunity. When President Fredrick Chiluba lost power, he was dragged to court. When President Rupiah Banda lost, his immunity was stripped and he faced prosecution. But President Hichilema chose the higher road. He refused to weaponize the law against his opponents, not because crimes hadn’t been committed, but because he didn’t want to rule through vengeance.

He increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to K36.1 million. He rolled out free education, even for the children of those who had insulted him. He appointed officials from various tribes. He opened the airwaves. He gave freedom to media houses, and under his government, no journalist has been jailed for doing their job. He gave this country peace and freedom it had long forgotten.

But even after all this, his good heart was met with more attacks. Former oppressors and their sympathizers continue to insult him daily. They still run smear campaigns. They still fabricate stories. They still try to discredit every achievement of his government. The same people who banned him from funerals now want to ban him again—even when one of their own, the Sixth President, has passed away.

The Latest Insult – A Funeral in Foreign Land

And now, the ultimate insult. The former Sixth Republican President has died. The same man who persecuted President Hichilema, denied him space in national events, and tried to silence him forever, has passed on. And what have his loyalists done? They have chosen to bury him in a foreign land, just to stop President Hichilema from attending, or worse, from saying a word of farewell.

To them, a man who forgave, who moved on, who never retaliated—is still a threat. Even in death, they fear what his presence represents: the truth. They are determined to deny him the dignity of closure, just as they denied him before. But President Hichilema is not surprised. He has lived through this script too many times.

When President Michael Sata died, he was denied a chance to speak. When Dr. Kenneth Kaunda died, he watched on TV like an outsider. This is nothing new. It is just a continuation of old hatred.

But let it be clear: he regrets nothing. He loses nothing. He carries no bitterness. And if they want to go ahead and bury their leader far from the people, let them do so. The pain is not his. The shame is not his. It is the shame of the ungrateful.

A Heart That Forgave – But Was Never Respected

Indeed, sometimes, a good heart is not what some people deserve. President Hakainde Hichilema has shown Zambia and the world what it means to lead with love, humility, and maturity. He was hunted like an animal, yet he ruled like a statesman. He was mocked, yet he did not retaliate. He was jailed, yet he freed others. He was hated, yet he chose to serve even those who wished him harm.

And yet, he is still not appreciated.

But that’s fine. He is used to this. He will continue to lead with compassion, even when others respond with hate. Because he understands that leadership is not about revenge—it is about legacy. He will continue to build schools, improve healthcare, provide bursaries, create jobs, and unite this country—even if his enemies continue to resist.

Zambia must remember: you can curse the sun, but you will never stop it from rising. The hatred towards Hichilema is not based on his policies. It is based on who he is, and where he comes from. But regardless of that, he remains unshaken.

He once roamed the prison halls of Mukobeko. Today he walks in the corridors of State House. If that alone doesn’t tell you about the power of resilience and grace, then nothing ever will.

Indeed, a good heart which has been never appreciated.
But he will remain faithful to Zambia—even if Zambia remains ungrateful to him.
Because he is not doing it for applause. He is doing it for posterity.
And history will remember.

ZAMBIA’S SHRINKING CIVIC SPACE AND DONOR CONFIDENCE CRISIS RAISE ALARMS – NJOBVU SPEAKS UP

Opposition political leaders in Zambia have issued a strong warning regarding the continued erosion of civic and democratic freedoms in the country. They argue that the government has persistently ignored public concerns about governance, only acknowledging the issues when international organizations, such as the Human Rights Commission, step in with formal reports.

Concerns over the harassment of dissenting voices have been escalating. Political activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens with differing views are increasingly subjected to arrests and intimidation. According to the opposition, this trend is growing unchecked and threatens Zambia’s long-standing reputation as a beacon of peace and democracy in Africa.

One of the key legal instruments at the center of the controversy is the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act. Critics say the law, though framed as a tool to protect the public from cyber abuse, is being used to silence critical voices and clamp down on online dissent. Calls are growing louder for the Act to be repealed or substantially amended to align with democratic principles.

Another law raising concern is the Defamation of the President Act, which opposition leaders argue is being misused to shield the Head of State from legitimate criticism. “Democracy must allow people to voice out when leaders go wrong. We do not condone insults, but we must protect the right to speak truth to power,” said one opposition leader.

Ackim Anthony Njobvu, President of the opposition Democratic Union, added his voice to the matter, saying, “When people are afraid to speak, democracy dies silently. The government must be reminded that silence in a democracy is not peace it is fear. Laws must protect citizens, not politicians.”

The opposition is also alarmed by the government’s approach to the current Constitution amendment process. They claim the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is fast-tracking the changes without adequate public consultation. Traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders have reportedly been sidelined in this process.

“There’s been no national referendum, no meaningful engagement with citizens. The government seems determined to proceed with constitutional amendments at all costs,” said an opposition spokesperson. This, they argue, raises suspicions about the government’s true intentions—whether the changes are meant to benefit the country or just entrench political power.

Njobvu criticized the exclusion of youth voices in the constitutional review process. “Our youth, who are the majority, are left out of decisions that shape their future. This process should be broad-based, participatory, and rooted in national interest, not party politics,” he stressed.

Donor confidence in Zambia is also waning. The opposition acknowledged the recent decisions by the UK and the US to suspend certain aid packages to Zambia. While some of these decisions are influenced by budget realignments abroad, mismanagement and corruption at home have undoubtedly contributed to the problem.

One area of major concern is the health sector, where essential medicines donated by international partners have reportedly gone missing. Donors, including the United States, offered technical support to address weaknesses in Zambia’s medical procurement and distribution systems but according to the opposition, the government was unwilling to accept this help.

“This reluctance to cooperate has sent the wrong message,” said Njobvu. “It shows we’re not serious about accountability. Until we fix our systems, international partners will keep pulling back, and our people especially the poor will suffer.”

To address these issues, the opposition is calling for stronger institutional independence, transparent appointments to anti-corruption agencies, and the removal of political interference in key sectors. “We need systems that work for the people, not systems that protect those in power,” Njobvu said.

In conclusion, Ackim Anthony Njobvu reaffirmed his party’s commitment to defending democracy and protecting citizens’ rights. “The Democratic Union will continue to speak out, challenge injustice, and offer solutions. Our democracy must not be allowed to collapse under the weight of silence, corruption, and unchecked power,” he declared.

June 22, 2025
©️ KUMWESU

To fulfill the legal requirements for obtaining a burial permit in South Africa, the family of former President Edgar Lungu purchased a house in South Africa. How quickly does it take to buy a house in South Africa

One of requirements to bury in  SA is if you get a house. ECL family have bought a house and now, permitted to bury there. SA gvt refused to hand over the body to Zambian government as the law in that country requires that the body is handed over to the Next of Kin. Tasila Lungu is next of Kin.