Latest news with #EdgarLungu
Eyewitness News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Some dispute over Edgar Lungu's repatriation from SA between family and Zambian govt
JOHANNESBURG - As tributes continue to pour in for former Zambian president Edgar Lungu, a spat over the repatriation of his remains from South Africa is now playing out publicly. This after Lungu's family announced it would independently repatriate the former head of state, despite an earlier announcement by the Zambian government that it would spearhead the process. The family believes it would be a dishonour if it followed the government's lead, accusing the current government of mistreating Lungu after his political rival, President Hakainde Hichilema, took office. The 68-year-old, who became Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until 2021, died while receiving specialised medical treatment at a clinic in Pretoria. The Patriotic Front, which Lungu belonged to, said it respects the wishes of the family to limit the government's involvement in the repatriation process. In 2023, the Zambian government withdrew Lungu's retirement benefits, including his security detail, a diplomatic passport, a furnished house, medical insurance and funeral benefits, following a decision to return to active politics after the 2021 loss. Since his passing, the Zambian government has already hosted a vigil to mark the first day of a week-long national mourning period, with the Patriotic Front hosting an event of their own. The party's member, Miles Sampa, said the Zambian government must take a backseat to the family, citing their unfair treatment of the former president. 'Whatever he tries to do, they were stopping him, he tried to jog in the morning, they stop him, he tries to go to church, they stop him, tries to go to South Africa then they stop paying.' While the family hopes to repatriate Lunga's remains from SA back to Zambia on Wednesday, Sampa said the instructions about the funeral arrangements would also come from the family. ALSO READ: Zambia declares national mourning for ex-president Edgar Lungu
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
King Salman Extends Condolences to Zambia's President on Passing of Former Leader
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a message of condolence to President of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema on the passing of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, SPA reported. In his message, King Salman expressed his sincere condolences to the Zambian president, the family of the deceased, and the friendly people of
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Zambia declares national mourning for ex-president Edgar Lungu
ZAMBIA on Saturday declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the country's former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa on Thursday, the government said. Lungu, who died at the age of 68, ruled the large but sparsely populated southern African nation from January 2015 until August 2021, when he lost to current President Hakainde Hichilema. 'The government of the republic of Zambia wishes to inform the nation that President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded a state funeral to the sixth president, Edgar Lungu, who died on 5 June,' said the secretary to the cabinet, Patrick Kangwa. The government announced that all flags would fly at half-mast from June 8 to 14 and that entertainment events would be suspended during that time. Kangwa said that the body of Lungu would arrive in Zambia next Wednesday and that Belvedere Lodge in the capital Lusaka had been designated as the official place of mourning. Lungu was receiving specialised medical treatment in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, his political party the Patriotic Front (PF) said. He was suffering from recurring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Zambia Declares Mourning for Late Ex-President Edgar Lungu
ZAMBIA on Saturday declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the country's former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa on Thursday, the government said. Lungu, who died at the age of 68, ruled the large but sparsely populated southern African nation from January 2015 until August 2021, when he lost to current President Hakainde Hichilema. 'The government of the republic of Zambia wishes to inform the nation that President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded a state funeral to the sixth president, Edgar Lungu, who died on 5 June,' said the secretary to the cabinet, Patrick Kangwa. The government announced that all flags would fly at half-mast from June 8 to 14 and that entertainment events would be suspended during that time. Kangwa said that the body of Lungu would arrive in Zambia next Wednesday and that Belvedere Lodge in the capital Lusaka had been designated as the official place of mourning. Lungu was receiving specialised medical treatment in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, his political party the Patriotic Front (PF) said. He was suffering from recurring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Zambia declares national mourning for ex-president Edgar Lungu
LUSAKA, Zambia - Zambia on Saturday declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the country's former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa on Thursday, the government said. Lungu, who died at the age of 68, ruled the large but sparsely populated southern African nation from January 2015 until August 2021, when he lost to current President Hakainde Hichilema. "The government of the republic of Zambia wishes to inform the nation that President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded a state funeral to the sixth president, Edgar Lungu, who died on 5 June," said the secretary to the cabinet, Patrick Kangwa. The government announced that all flags would fly at half-mast from June 8 to 14 and that entertainment events would be suspended during that time. Kangwa said that the body of Lungu would arrive in Zambia next Wednesday and that Belvedere Lodge in the capital Lusaka had been designated as the official place of mourning. Lungu was receiving specialised medical treatment in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, his political party the Patriotic Front (PF) said. He was suffering from recurring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus.
