THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has refuted claims that it seized passports or interrogated any members of late former president Edgar Lungu’s family, describing the accusations as “malicious and misleading.”
In a statement, DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba clarified that at no point had the Commission confiscated the passports of Dalitso, his sisters Chiyeso and Tasila, or former First Lady Esther Lungu, as part of any bond conditions.
The Commission further said it was disturbed by false claims made by PF central committee member Nkandu Luo, who alleged during a TV interview that Dalitso Lungu, the former president’s son, had been summoned for questioning.
“The public may wish to note that Mr. Dalitso Lungu has not been summoned or interviewed by the Commission in the period mentioned by Prof Luo,” said Tamba.
“Such claims are contemptuous, malicious, and misleading to the nation”
He noted that DEC had engaged with Dalitso Lungu’s lawyer, who categorically distanced himself and his client from Luo’s claims.
This official clarification comes amid a wave of misinformation surrounding the Lungu family following the death of Zambia’s sixth President in a South African hospital last Thursday.
On Tuesday, the Patriotic Front (PF) claimed that Dalitso and Chiyeso missed their father’s memorial in South Africa because the government had allegedly refused to release their passports.
However, this was quickly dismissed by the siblings through their lawyer Isaac Simbeye of Malisa & Partners, who said the two had never even applied for any travel documents.
Just a day later, Dalitso found himself having to shoot down yet another falsehood, this time from his father’s former running mate, Prof Luo, who publicly accused the government of insensitivity during the family’s period of mourning.
Responding through Simbeye again, Dalitso said at no point had he been summoned or interrogated by DEC or any law enforcement agency.
He added that no one should be spreading information about him without first verifying the facts.
The late Edgar Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021.
His death prompted government to declare seven days of national mourning.
While his remains were expected to arrive in Zambia yesterday, the family has since announced a delay, with a new repatriation date yet to be confirmed.
Government and the Lungu family continue to coordinate efforts for a dignified sendoff.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 12, 2025
