'Harassment' of Lungu continues even in death: Outrage grows over the State's handling of his funeral
Former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu passed away in the early hours of June 5, 2025, at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria.
Tensions between the Zambian government and the family and supporters of late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu have erupted into a full-blown crisis, with accusations that President Hakainde Hichilema's administration is deliberately sidelining the Lungu family and the Patriotic Front (PF) from funeral arrangements.
The controversy has triggered outrage in Zambia and across the diaspora, with some going as far as accusing the current regime of having a hand in Lungu's sudden death.
The former President passed away in the early hours of June 5, 2025, at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, reportedly from chest complications. He had been under specialist care for several weeks.
His daughter, Tasila Lungu, confirmed the death in a sombre statement released from Lusaka.'It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, who departed this morning at 06:00 hours,' Tasila said.
She appealed for unity and dignity during the mourning period, invoking her father's commitment to the spirit of ''One Zambia, One Nation'' .
Yet what should have been a solemn and unified national moment has instead exposed deep political divisions.
According to multiple hospital insiders, Zambian government officials instructed staff not to release information or documents to the family, stating that Lungu's passing was now being handled strictly as a "state funeral."
The PF and the Lungu family allege that this has been used as a pretext to exclude them from the planning process.
'This is not how you treat a man who once held the highest office in the land,' said a PF official in Johannesburg. 'President Hichilema and his team are using this moment to politically erase a legacy they despise.'
The PF's Secretary General, Raphael Nakacinda, held a media round table in Sandton on Sunday afternoon to condemn the government's conduct and demand full participation in the repatriation and burial process.
He insisted that the funeral of a former head of state cannot be orchestrated behind closed doors.'The party, the family, and the people of Zambia deserve transparency and inclusion. Anything less is an affront to democracy and national unity,' Nakacinda stated.
Meanwhile, outrage is growing among Zambians living in South Africa.
A protest under the banner 'Suffering Lungu, Even in Death' is being organised outside the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria. Organisers say the protest is not just about Lungu's treatment in death, but about a much broader crisis of governance under Hichilema.
'HH and his people said Lungu wouldn't make it to 2026 — and they made sure of it,' said one protester. 'We are watching our democracy die, and now they're trying to bury Lungu without even involving his family.'
Protesters accuse the Hichilema administration of tribal favouritism, elite-driven economic policies, repression of the media, and silencing of political opponents.
'Never in our history has Zambia seen this level of political exclusion and control,' said another protester. 'We are not mourning just a man — we are mourning our democracy.'
With Lungu's remains still in South Africa and the impasse with the family, the controversy is no longer just a family dispute — it has become a symbol of Zambia's fractured political landscape.
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Daily Maverick
11 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
President Lungu's death and the perils of a divided and weakened opposition in Zambia
Without the former president to unite a fragmented opposition in the lead-up to the 2026 elections, multiparty democracy will be the loser. The death of Zambia's former president on 5 June will be pivotal for the country's multiparty democracy. Edgar Lungu was a polarising figure for the country, but one that unified the opposition Patriotic Front (PF). He was in power from 2015 to 2021, when he lost the election to President Hakainde Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND). Lungu's passing leaves a vacuum that will reshape the power contest before the 2026 general elections, testing the weakening opposition's resilience and the UPND's adaptability. He became president through an unexpected internal party contest following former president Michael Sata's death in 2014. Perceived as a modest and unassuming figure compared with more outspoken party stalwarts, Lungu quickly emerged as a compromise candidate capable of uniting the PF. His supporters credit his presidency with accelerating Zambia's infrastructure development and improving its regional connectivity. His government implemented the compulsory National Health Insurance Scheme in 2018, marking a positive shift to the country's approach to healthcare financing. However, economic challenges deepened under Lungu. The global price of copper – which accounts for 70% of the country's exports – declined. Foreign borrowing increased, along with electricity rationing due to severe droughts that reduced water levels. Zambia became the first African nation to default on its debt during Covid-19 in 2020, pushing inflation to 15% and devaluing the kwacha by more than 50%. Politically, Lungu's tenure was marked by both reform and repression. While he oversaw a comprehensive constitutional reform in 2016, his administration was criticised for clamping down on independent media and for authoritarian tendencies that led to frequent arrests of then-opposition leader Hichilema. Following his majority defeat in 2021, Lungu retired from active politics. But he remained a powerful figure with a loyal support base, and in 2023 resumed his position as PF head. In November 2024 the rematch against Hichilema seemed a certainty when Lungu was selected as the newly formed Tonse Alliance's candidate for the 2026 presidential elections. But a few weeks later, Zambia's Constitutional Court disqualified Lungu from contesting the election. The landmark ruling found that his 2015-2016 term counted as a full term, meaning he could not run for what would be a third term. Some political commentators accuse the UPND of stoking the PF's internal wrangles and influencing Lungu's barring from the 2026 polls. Lungu accepted the court's ruling but remained an influential player and the opposition's most recognisable leader. The PF, diminished by factionalism since its 2021 electoral defeat, now faces an acute leadership crisis. Internal tussles between the Miles Sampa, Given Lubinda and Robert Chabinga camps are likely to intensify as each seeks to assert dominance without Lungu's moderating influence. The weakening of Zambia's opposition following Lungu's death illustrates the common challenge of 'charismatic authority' – when a movement established around a charismatic leader fragments and loses purpose when that figure is lost. The same happened to Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change following Morgan Tsvangirai's death in 2018, and Hugo Chávez's Bolivarian movement in Venezuela. The PF used Lungu's appeal rather than strong party institutions or defined policy platforms to attract votes. This renders it prone to internal splits and limited efficacy in Lungu's absence. And while the opposition struggles to unite behind new leadership or a vision, the ruling UPND party has gained the advantage. Recognising his party's institutional deficit, Lungu drove attempts at coalition-building to face Hichilema in 2026. First was the United Kwacha Alliance, which lost momentum in 2024 after most major parties pulled out, including the PF. Then came the Tonse Alliance, which brought together more than 11 political parties. The alliance now faces a leadership contest for the presidential election ticket. Its prospects for the 2026 polls seem slim considering that only one alliance party – the PF – has ever won more than 50% of the vote required in a presidential election. The opposition's lack of cohesion may boost the ruling UPND despite public dissatisfaction over economic hardship and a perceived decline in democratic quality. Unless a new opposition figure can command similar respect as Lungu did across party lines, the opposition is likely to enter the 2026 polls divided and weakened. Hichilema must resist complacency and deal with the growing criticism, especially over governance, restrictions on civic space and perceived corruption, particularly in his flagship Constituency Development Funds projects. If the opposition finds its footing, the country could see a protest vote akin to his 2021 victory. The PF must identify a cohesive leader to avert further fragmentation. The very different political pedigrees of candidates such as former Lusaka mayor Miles Sampa and former justice minister Given Lubinda could undermine the party's electoral prospects and reduce the potential for renewal. The effectiveness of the Tonse Alliance was significantly tied to Lungu's influence. Without a new leader capable of uniting disparate factions and garnering widespread backing, Zambia's opposition may continue to falter. There is no time to waste, especially as history shows such alliances rarely succeed. In 2006, the main opposition candidate, Anderson Mazoka, died fewer than six months before the election. The United Democratic Alliance coalition of three parties – each with formidable personalities, including Hichilema – performed poorly, allowing Levy Mwanawasa to increase his margin of victory. The Tonse Alliance's multiple presidential aspirants might face the same hurdle. Lungu's death will unsettle the opposition and give Hichilema a clear edge in next year's elections. However, should the PF resolve its internal rifts or fresh voices emerge to rally support, the 2026 elections could still be closely contested. If not, the country might drift towards single-party dominance, threatening democratic checks and balances. The coming year is vital not only for the PF's survival but the future of multiparty democracy in Zambia. DM
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Tears and tension at Pretoria memorial: Lubinda questions treatment of late president Lungu
The sombre atmosphere was intensified by the sense of injustice voiced by Lubinda and others who allege that Lungu was mistreated even after leaving the presidency. Image: Supplied Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Image: Supplied In an emotionally charged memorial service held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pretoria, mourners gathered in tears to pay their last respects to Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu, whose sudden death has left both political allies and critics grappling with grief and unanswered questions. Among those who delivered impassioned remarks was Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy President Given Lubinda, who used the solemn moment to question the treatment Lungu endured in the final years of his life. With his voice cracking and eyes filled with anguish, Lubinda stunned the congregation when he cried out, 'Why, God, why?' before recounting what he described as the former president's humiliation at the hands of the Zambian authorities. Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied 'Lungu did not fight back. His house was surrounded by police. His gates were broken down, not by thugs, but by police in the same uniform they used to salute him. Why, why?'Lubinda's speech drew visible emotion from the hundreds in attendance, many of whom had flown in from Zambia and across Southern Africa. Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. The sombre atmosphere was intensified by the sense of injustice voiced by Lubinda and others who allege that Lungu was mistreated even after leaving the presidency. Lungu, who ruled Zambia from 2015 to 2021, had faced a string of legal investigations and political isolation after leaving office. In recent months, those close to him reported growing stress and health concerns, raising questions about possible poisoning. Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied The late president's body is currently in Pretoria, but its repatriation has been delayed due to what insiders call ' hostile diplomatic and logistical complications.' However, there may be a breakthrough on the horizon. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly stepping in to help mediate the situation. According to sources close to the matter, Ramaphosa and other regional leaders are set to speak this evening. This is aimed at resolving the deadlock and ensuring Lungu's body is returned to Zambia with the dignity befitting a former head of state. 'The body will not be arriving in Zambia tomorrow, some of the leaders of PF may be arrested in the days to come. Although the mortal remains of President Lungu were expected to arrive in Zambia on Wednesday, I can confirm that will not be happening,' said a government official familiar with the proceedings. Attendees ranged from political leaders, civil society members, and Zambian expatriates to representatives of faith-based organisations. Image: Supplied The meeting is expected to include representatives from the Zambian government, the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Lubinda's emotional tribute has struck a chord with many in Zambia and beyond, reigniting debate over how former leaders should be treated once they leave office. 'Even if you disagree with someone politically, there must be a baseline of human decency,' said a PF supporter outside the cathedral. 'Lungu was our president. He deserved better.'
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Tensions rise as memorial for former Zambian president Lungu takes place in South Africa amid ongoing dispute with government
One of the most contentious issues is the Zambian government's reported insistence on taking full control of former President Edgar Lungu's funeral arrangements. A memorial service for Zambia's former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is being held today at the Cathedral in Pretoria, South Africa, under a cloud of political tension and unresolved conflict between his family and the Zambian government. Mourners, including members of the Patriotic Front (PF), Lungu's former ruling party, filled the cathedral as emotional tributes were paid to the late statesman. However, the atmosphere was not one of peace. Instead, it reflected the deepening rift over Lungu's legacy, his cause of death, and the government's controversial handling of his passing. The 68-year-old former president died last Thursday in a South African hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. Since his death, speculation and accusations have surfaced, with some PF leaders claiming Lungu may have been poisoned — a charge the Zambian government has not addressed publicly. According to hospital sources, government officials allegedly tried to repatriate Lungu's body to Zambia without the family's consent. Medical staff say they were intimidated and threatened, prompting outrage from PF leaders and human rights groups alike. Speaking at a media roundtable in Sandton, Johannesburg, PF Secretary General Mangani Nakacinda condemned the government's actions, calling them 'a calculated political manoeuvre to seize control of the narrative.' Nakacinda added, 'This is no longer just about mourning a former president — it is about defending his dignity and our democracy.' One of the most contentious issues is the Zambian government's reported insistence on taking full control of Lungu's funeral arrangements. The Lungu family, backed by PF allies, has resisted this, citing concerns about trust and transparency. So far, the standoff has stalled any official state funeral plans. Adding to the pain and confusion, two of Lungu's children were allegedly denied permission to leave Zambia to attend their father's memorial in South Africa. Family representatives say the travel ban is another example of the administration's 'deliberate cruelty.' Inside Zambia, the situation is increasingly volatile. PF members have vowed to 'fight until the end' to expose what they claim is a campaign to erase Lungu's political legacy and prevent scrutiny into the events leading to his death. Meanwhile, the government appears determined to maintain authority over the funeral process, citing protocol and national interest. The late president's political comeback in 2023 had reignited tensions in the country. After years of relative silence, Lungu announced his intention to run in the 2026 elections, challenging the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and its leader, President Hakainde Hichilema. In response, the Constitutional Court ruled him ineligible, sparking legal and political protests. Shortly after, Lungu was stripped of all state benefits, including security and medical support, further isolating him. PF leaders claim these actions left him vulnerable, even hindering access to vital medical treatment in the months before his death. As his body remains in South Africa and legal negotiations continue behind the scenes, today's memorial has become more than a moment of remembrance — it is a flashpoint in a deepening national crisis. 'The treatment of former President Lungu is a reflection of the state of our democracy,' said Brian Mundubile, a senior PF figure. 'This is about justice, truth, and respect — not just for him, but for all Zambians.'With the cause of Lungu's death still unconfirmed and calls for an independent investigation growing louder, today's service may not be the end of mourning but the beginning of a prolonged battle for answers.
