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.
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