VICE President Mutale Nalumango has come to the defence of the family of the late former president Edgar Lungu, stating that they are not in violation of any law by keeping his remains in South Africa.
Speaking in Parliament during the Vice President’s question time yesterday, Nalumango said government has not received any indication that the family’s actions are illegal, and therefore it would not intervene.
This follows growing concerns from members of the public and lawmakers alike, questioning the family’s recent announcement through their representative Makebi Zulu that the late President would be buried in South Africa.
She said it is indeed regrettable that the country has reached a worrying point acknowledging that the ongoing standoff was unfortunate, especially for a matter as solemn as the burial of a former Head of State.
“It may be untraditional, it may be uncultural, it may be unZambian but there is no offence that we can pick on… In holding the body, I don’t think there is any law that can guide us that there is an offence,” Nalumango said.
She added that had there been a legal breach, the State would have taken steps to arrest that offence.
Her statement was in response to a direct question from Bwengwa Member of Parliament Michelo Kasauta, who had asked whether the Lungu family was violating any law by keeping the body abroad.
Nalumango further added that President Hakainde Hichilema had already shown magnanimity by offering state support, and it was now up to the Lungu family to decide the next steps.
For now, Zambia will have to come to terms with the reality that its former President may never return home not in life, and not in death.
Lungu died in South Africa on June five and his repatriation has been marred with drama as the family disagreed with how the Government wanted to funeral procession should be done.
Yesterday Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu issued a statement that the South African Government had allowed them to very the former Head of State in that country.
Now, an empty grave lies in Zambia with no occupant as South Africans online make memes out the situation the country is facing.
By George Musonda
Kalemba June 21, 2025
