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Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, is leading a delegation of government officials to South Africa to secure the remains and eventual repatriation of Zambia’s Sixth President, Edgar Lungu.
Aged 68, President Lungu passed away on Thursday, 5 June 2025, in a Pretoria hospital where he had been receiving treatment for a number of weeks.
Earlier, Haimbe accompanied by officials from Cabinet Office and Acting High Commission to South Africa, Inonge Mwenya met with the family representative led by Makebi Zulu at Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton.
According to a statement issued in Pretoria, South Africa by the Zambian mission in that country, preliminary issues and proposals were discussed and a follow-up meeting will be held and agreed position will be communicated.
This is to ensure that a balance of family, Party and State interests are reached and secured to ensure that President Edgar Lungu is mourned and buried with dignity befitting of a former Head of State.
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Raphael Nakacinda has joined the family in South Africa.
The Zambian community living South Africa have requested that in both government and family plans, they accord and provide a church service in South Africa before the body is repatriated to Zambia.
Similary, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing in South Africa of His Excellency, former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu of the Republic of Zambia.
President Ramaphosa offered his condolences to President Lungu’s family and to the nation and the Zambian government led by President Hakainde Hichilema.
He said: “As regional compatriots, South Africans are standing by the people of Zambia in this difficult moment.
“We have had the duty and privilege in recent weeks to care for a leader from our region whom we embraced as a brother and friend.
“We therefore share the grief and loss experienced at this time by the Lungu family, as well as the Zambian nation.”
In his message, Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mmnangagwa described president Lungu as a distinguished statesman and servant of the people, who championed justice and unity across our region.
“His legacy will continue to inspire us all.On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Zambia and the Lungu family on the passing of former President H.E. Edgar Lungu,” Mmnangagwa said.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has joined the rest of the nation in mourning President Lungu.
FAZ president Keith Mweemba said late President Lungu was an avid football person whom many remember from his various stadia appearances.
“On behalf of the football community, I wish to convey my sympathies to the Lungu family and the Zambian government on the demise of our former president who previously served as FAZ patron,” Mweemba said.
He urged the football family to honour his memory with a show of unity and love for each other and in keeping with the time tested uniting power of football, there was need to embrace each other in diversity.
Adding to the messenges of condolences, former Chipolopolo national team captain, Kalusha Bwalya said President Lungu was not only a statesman but a passionate supporter of football and healthy living.
Bwalya recalled how the late President would run during his “Keep Fit” weekends and his unwavering support for the Chipolopolo.
“To Former First Lady Esther Lungu, Hon. Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, and the entire family—please accept my heartfelt condolences. Zambia has lost a humble leader and true sportsman,” he said.
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