THE country has speculation mode after Edgar Lungu’s family hinted they were considering “alternative” funeral arrangements for the later former president.
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Last Saturday, government declared seven days of mourning in honour of the former president who died a week ago in a South African hospital.
Lungu’s family had initially indicated his remains would arrive on Wednesday in time for a state funeral and eventual burial at presidential burial site in Lusaka where five former Zambian heads of state are buried.
However, Lungu’s body did not arrive yesterday as family spokesperson Makebi Zulu told mourners during a memorial service in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday that there had been a change of plan.
Zulu promised to announce the new date of repatriation later.
Today, Zulu held a three-minute presser in which he said the family had found it difficult to engage with government on how Lungu should be mourned.
“It was made known that the family had already put in place all logistics to address the wishes of the deceased that his mortal remains be conveyed by the family privately and not the government of the republic of Zambia and that President Hakainde Hichilema should not be anywhere near the body of Edgar Lungu for reasons that have since become common cause,” said Zulu.
He said the family was not okay with government’s desire to convey the mortal remains of Lungu in ways that suggest that they have no say in the arrangements.
“In the conveyance of the remains, it is the desire of the family that the conscious of the deceased should not be betrayed and that the death of sixth republican president does not repose any superior rights to the government, that exceed those of the family,” he said.
Zulu claimed that in the meetings between government and the family, the government changed positions on the proposals that they earlier said were agreeable after returning from consultations.
He said matters of conscience for both the deceased and family should not be sacrificed at the alter of convenience by the government.
“The family remains committed to the former president being mourned in a befitting manner by the nation. The public will be informed on alternative arrangements amongst the available options,” stated Zulu.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 12, 2025
