Zambian Government Reaffirms Olive Branch in Lungu Burial Dispute – Simuuwe

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Zambian Government Reaffirms Olive Branch in Lungu Burial Dispute – Simuuwe Speaks on eNCA



By Tobbius Chilembo Hamunkoyo

Appearing on South Africa’s eNCA on 15th August 2025, UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe reaffirmed that the Zambian government remains committed to dialogue with the family of late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu over the repatriation and burial of his remains.


He explained that while the Presidential Burial Side Act provides a legal framework for state funerals for Presidents and former Presidents, the government prefers to pursue diplomacy and negotiation to ensure Lungu is accorded a dignified and unifying farewell.



The matter has intensified following the Pretoria High Court’s ruling in favor of the Zambian government, granting it the right to repatriate Lungu’s body for a state burial.

The Lungu family, however, has objected, filing both a notice of intention to appeal , with the hearing adjourned to 18th August 2025, and a separate petition before the Constitutional Court of South Africa seeking to overturn the High Court’s judgment.



Despite the ongoing legal battles, the government has maintained that its approach is guided by both law and compassion.


President Hakainde Hichilema has already ended the official mourning period but emphasized that “the doors remain open” for talks with the family.


As Simuuwe stressed on eNCA, the state’s position is not confrontational but conciliatory ,  extending an olive branch of dialogue to balance national unity, legal obligations, and respect for the Lungu family’s wishes.

16 COMMENTS

  1. One way or the other, there is an open grave that will be filled by the rightful occupant.

    “HE THAT DIGS HOLES FOR OTHERS, SHALL HIMSELF BE BURIED IN THEM”. -EDITH NAWAKWI.

    VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.

  2. First these guys have not withdrawn the leave to appeal because dong so will validate the government’s collection of the body. But they have gone ahead to file and try to block the same issue that seats before the high court, is this not duplicity?.

  3. No Sir, there is no duplicity. The leave to appeal will be decided by the very judges who passed the judgement and knowing that they all have been comprised , chances are that they would have even rejected the leave to appeal . That decision was what should have been made last Friday. However, ECL’s legal team were a step ahead by requesting for an adjournment that was just to allow them create space for the Concourt appeal which will now be decided by Supreme Court. Hmmmm Ba Kateeka mumala, light will always win over darkness so declare the Almighty God. His name is Jehovah Sabboath , the God who fights battles for the weak and grants them victory. Every knee bows before him and every tongue confesses that he is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords You bring in white powder in the bottle with a blue lid, and lion oil , we call upon the God of Elijah. Ask Haman in the book of Esther. He will tell you that you don’t dig graves for others because you will end up being buried in there yourself . Take it or leave it , I rest my case.

    • Am not sure of this God you pray to, who fights battles? How can God be reduced to that level of fighting battles sure? So, whom is God fighting for in this case? And who is He fighting with? Eishi, Christians kaya tilibwanji mwe.

  5. Bean and Kafuta, the bible says the word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing. You will never understand the God am talking about because you don’t know him. If you knew him you would understand what happened to Haman when he dug a grave for Mordecai. If you knew the God am talking about you would understand what happened to the widow who cried to God for justice but because the word of God is foolishness to you , you will never understand. They were sent with white powder in a bottle with a blue lid to go and shake the hands of the Lungu’s family lawyer and splinkle some in the courtroom. They gave them lion oil to rub on their faces and when they arrive in court to look straight into the eye of Mama Esther Lungu and all these would create Kavundula in court so they said and HE will be pleased. But thank God, instead kavundula is now in the camp of Kabesha and his master. What a fallacy ……. Bring your prophets of Baal and we bring our Prophets of Adonai , Jehovah Nissi let’s see who bows to the other. You bring your satanism we bring the Holy Ghost Fire….. wait for Monday. As we speak the kingdom of God is in the War Room under the command of the Almighty God.

  6. God is above all this rubbish talk, leave him out. He is neither a Tribalist nor a Political Cadre who takes sides, like you Imbeciles, Damn it.

  8. Simpo Sitalu engage with facts and not foul mouthed language. You don’t know God, therefore you will not understand anything about him.
    1. The widow crying for justice Luke 18:1-8
    2. Haman dug a grave for Modercai and he ended up in the same grave Esther 3

    Any way I forgive you because you are children of the Chief Freemasonist who can’t even sleep now because he messed with a wrong spirit . Muli mu ndoti …… the more you want to clean up things the more messy your master becomes.Here is a word of wisdom to you all “You can never fall in a drum of shit and you expect to come out smelling roses “ That is exactly what your behaviour displays. You are bruised and bruised for life guys. Dont mess with the children of the most high God. I rest my case , let’s meet August 2026 Share, your number if you want to engage with me face to face

  10. Ba Bean, Ba Kafuta , Ba Simpo Sutali naiwe Mwankole Chester tell us what is happening at the Pretoria High Court in South Africa ?Kikikikiki . Muli Mu ndoti . Kabesha abombela ku South Africa nomba pantu utulo twaliya ba Boss bakwe. You messed with a wrong Former Kateeka.
    Ba Chester what is wrong with me telling you where i’am ? This is not Zambia where today Zambians are scared to disclose where they are calling from and their names because of Cyberlaw and fear of being political victimised by the Hallucinating Headman (HH) government. Mwalikasa guys and your days are getting closer. Come August 2026 we will vote in numbers like you have never seen before. You think Zambians are stupid that you can stand on the podium and lie to the Zambian people that when I get sworn in the morning, by afternoon the Zambian Kwacha will appreciate , the price of mealie meal will drop , there will be no Loadshedding kikikikiki. And now you want to honour the very person you denied access to medical treatment? You bunch of hypocrites. You time to be put to shame has come

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