‘We won’t allow false narrative,’ Lungu family demands apology, accuses govt of mistreating late President

The family of late President Edgar Lungu is demanding an apology from the Zambian government for what they describe as mistreatment of the Sixth Republican President during his lifetime, accusing authorities of attempting to manage public perception even after his death.

Family spokesperson and lawyer, Makebi Zulu, alleges that the former President was denied access to medical support in 2023, despite being entitled to such benefits under Zambian law.

Zulu made the remarks on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, following a court ruling that suspended President Lungu’s burial pending a hearing to determine whether his remains should be interred in South Africa or repatriated to Zambia, as demanded by the Zambian government through Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha.

“This is an opportunity to tell the story. If it calls for us to bury him here in South Africa for that truth to be told, so be it. But we will not allow a false narrative to be crafted over his coffin,” Zulu said.

He claimed that the government’s desire to control the funeral proceedings was not motivated by genuine national respect but rather by public relations concerns aimed at presenting a sanitized image to the international community.

“They want to give the world the impression that they treated him well. But the truth is they abandoned him. They stripped him of his benefits. They denied him medical assistance. And now they want to fly his body back in a jet they never provided while he was alive,” he added.

Zulu said the family was ready to systematically present the truth about the late President’s treatment after leaving office in 2021, including his need to seek medical treatment in South Africa without state support.

He expressed dismay that the same government which allegedly denied Lungu essential entitlements during his life now insists on repatriating his remains for a state funeral.

“President Hakainde Hichilema’s government claimed there were no funds. When Lungu offered to pay, they said no. A month later, all his entitlements were withdrawn. And now they want to choose which privileges to apply to him posthumously. It’s both absurd and immoral,” Zulu said.

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