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The family of late former President Edgar Lungu has announced that it will independently repatriate his remains from South Africa, citing mistrust and mistreatment by the current government.
Family spokesperson, Makebi Zulu, speaking during a press briefing monitored on Smart Eagles on Saturday, said the family — with support from well-wishers — will proceed with private arrangements for the repatriation and funeral, without state involvement.
Zulu, flanked by Lungu’s daughter Tasila and her husband, said that while the government had expressed interest in participating in the funeral programme, the family had resolved to honour the former president’s personal wishes and manage the process independently.
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“The family wishes to respect the wishes of the former president. He made it clear that he wanted to be buried in Zambia, his homeland, and that the Zambian people should mourn him with dignity,” Zulu stated.
Former President Lungu passed away on Thursday in South Africa after several months away from Zambia.
Zulu lamented that Lungu was fully aware of how he had been treated after leaving office and had expressed concerns about the mistreatment he endured under the current administration.
“President Lungu had repeatedly requested to travel abroad for medical attention, first in 2022 and again in 2023, but was denied by the government,” Zulu said. “In 2022, he formally requested to travel to South Africa for medicals, but the state declined the request.”
“In 2023, he repeated the request. The response was that there were no resources. He then offered to use his own resources — and even then, they said no,” he added.
Zulu further accused the state of restricting Lungu’s movements despite being aware of his health condition from his time in State House.
He noted that details regarding the funeral programme, burial site, and public memorials will be announced by the family in the coming days. However, there are indications that the late president’s remains will arrive in Zambia on Wednesday next week.
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