PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has paid glowing tribute to Zambians for what he termed “resilience, patience, solidarity and calmness” during the mourning period of former president Edgar Lungu who died two weeks ago.
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After two emotionally-charged weeks of suspense, diplomatic hiccups and public confusion, President Hichilema has this evening called off the national mourning after 12 straight days.
In a televised national address, the Head of State also apologised to the South African government for the inconvenience and diplomatic strain caused by the failed repatriation.
“At our request, the South African government made extensive preparations, including mounting full military honours through the South African Defence Force,” he said.
“But these were done in vain, as the former president’s body was not availed for repatriation. For this unfortunate situation, we extend our sincere apologies to President Ramaphosa, the government and the people of South Africa.”
He thanked the Church, traditional leaders, and citizens for their moral guidance and collective restraint, acknowledging that the events surrounding the delayed burial of the former president were as frustrating as they were unprecedented.
Lungu died on June 5 in a South African hospital, but 14 days later, his remains have still not touched Zambian soil and no burial has taken place.
This marks the first time in the country’s history that a period of national mourning has ended without a body being interred.
Initially, the government had declared seven days of national mourning, which was extended by a further nine days following a joint agreement with the family that Lungu’s body would be repatriated to Zambia on June 18, ahead of a state funeral and burial scheduled for June 23.
But what was supposed to be a solemn homecoming turned into a diplomatic embarrassment when the family, through spokesperson Makebi Zulu, abruptly reversed the agreement just hours before the body was expected to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday.
Zambians were left disappointed upon the announcement and South African media also echoed the disappointment.
Veteran SABC journalist Sophie Mokoena openly expressed Pretoria’s embarrassment, saying the government was left unhappy and caught off guard by the family’s change of plans.
President Hichilema clarified that the government had done everything possible to engage the Lungu family in order to reach an amicable understanding regarding the state funeral.
He cited the June 15 joint press briefing held in Pretoria, where both parties agreed on a roadmap that included military honours, public viewing and a dignified burial at Embassy Park.
But by the time June 18 arrived, that roadmap had been ripped up.
“Yesterday, the people of Zambia were ready to receive the remains of the former president. Instead, we were surprised by the family’s reversal of the agreed course of action,” stated Hichilema.
The fallout plunged the country into a state of confusion, with many citizens expressing anger over the politicisation of the burial and the disrespect shown to national mourning rituals.
And in response, the President declared an official end to the period of mourning, stating that the country could not remain in a state of indefinite grief.
“As of the end of today, June 19, 2025, this particular national mourning is officially over,” he announced. “This will allow the country to begin returning to some sense of normalcy.”
President Hichilema insisted that while former president Lungu belonged to his biological family, he also belonged to the Zambian people and deserved to be laid to rest in his homeland.
“It is therefore correct that our sixth president should be buried in Zambia and not in any other nation,” he said.
Despite the impasse, the President stressed that government doors remain open to further engagement with the family and reiterated the state’s commitment to according Lungu the full honours due to him.
“No amount of lawlessness will be tolerated,” he cautioned, urging citizens to remain calm and peaceful.
President Hichilema also reminded the nation of the importance of peace, unity and dignity, especially in difficult moments like these.
“Our hearts remain with the Lungu family, and our doors as government remain open for further engagement as appropriate,” he said.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 19, 2025
