Claims Hichilema cancelled mourning period for late president Lungu, a misrepresentation of facts —State House

State House has dismissed media reports indicating that President Hakainde Hichilema abruptly cancelled the national mourning period for the late President Edgar Lungu, calling the claims “a misrepresentation of facts.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, Presidential Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, clarified that the President had in fact extended—not cancelled—the mourning period beyond the statutory seven days.

“On Thursday, 19 June 2025, President Hichilema announced the conclusion of a nine‑day national mourning period that had been prolonged at the request of the Lungu family for logistical and personal reasons,” Hamasaka said.

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He emphasised that the extension was granted “in good faith” and reiterated that, under normal protocol, a former Head of State is accorded seven days of national mourning.

Any assertion to the contrary, he added, is misleading and should be disregarded.

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