FOR the first time in Zambian history, a state declared national mourning has ended without the burial of the person it was meant to honour.
Seven days ago, the nation bowed its collective head in grief after government declared a mourning period for former president, Edgar Lungu who died in a South African hospital on June 5.
But today, as the official mourning period ends, there is no grave to point to, no flag draped coffin laid to rest at Embassy Park and no closure for the country.
The mourning period descended into a haze of speculation and tension when the former first family through its representative Makebi Zulu announced on Thursday that it was considering “alternative” funeral arrangements for the late former president.
This put Zambia’s state machinery on pause and the public on edge.
Initially, the family had agreed to repatriate Lungu’s body on Wednesday, June 11, in time for a full state funeral and burial at Lusaka’s Presidential Burial Site, where five other former heads of state already lie in peace.
However, that plan vanished into thin air on Tuesday, when Makebi Zulu speaking at a memorial service in Pretoria abruptly declared a change of plans with no date for the return of the remains.
The nation was left hanging.
Then on Thursday, Zulu returned with a three minute video statement that only deepened the national mystery.
He said the Lungu family had “found it difficult to engage” with the government on how the former president should be mourned and claimed that the late former president allegedly did not want President Hakainde Hichilema anywhere near his body.
Though the government expressed readiness to honour Lungu with full state funeral rites, including a military escort and burial at Embassy Park, the family insists that Lungu’s dignity lies in them taking charge.
On Thursday evening, President Hichilema addressed the nation and called for peace in mourning his predecessor.
And yesterday, the President signed the Book of Condolence in honour of Lungu at the government’s designated house of mourning, Belvedere Lodge.
Before visiting the lodge, President Hichilema stated that Lungu would be honoured and buried in Zambia and not any other country.
The Head of State assured that the family and government would soon reach a consensus that would make the former president be mourned with the respect he deserves.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 14, 2025
