Edgar Lungu's Family Halts Repatriation of Body Amid Funeral Dispute

Lusaka, Zambia – The return of former President of Zambian, Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s remains from South Africa has been unexpectedly halted by his family, deepening tensions between the family and the government over the handling of his state funeral.

Plans for Lungu’s repatriation on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, were called off after what the family described as a breakdown in communication and trust over the funeral schedule.

Dispute Over Funeral Arrangements

Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu announced the reversal on Wednesday:

“Sadly, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s body will not return today.”

Zulu accused the government of unilaterally releasing a draft funeral itinerary without consulting the family. According to him, the deviation from prior agreements led to the family's decision to withhold consent for the repatriation flight.

The original arrangements reportedly included:

• A ceremonial reception by President Hakainde Hichilema at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport

• A lying-in-state period at Lungu’s private residence

• A state funeral on June 22, followed by burial on June 23

But Zulu stated the government made significant changes without the family's approval, undermining previously agreed-upon terms.

Rising Political Tensions

This is the second time the family has refused to allow the late president’s remains to be returned. The growing friction underscores a deeper political divide stemming from Lungu's turbulent post-presidency relations with the current administration.

Lungu’s former party, the Patriotic Front (PF), has sided with the family, accusing the government of attempting to politicize the funeral and ignoring the late president’s personal wishes.

Adding to the dispute, the family claims that Lungu had instructed President Hichilema not to be involved in his funeral proceedings. However, a recent agreement had reportedly been reached for Hichilema to lead the state funeral despite prior resistance.

A Controversial Post-Presidency

Edgar Lungu served as President of Zambia from 2015 to 2021, before losing the 2021 election to Hichilema. After his defeat, Lungu briefly exited politics but later attempted a comeback. That bid was quashed by a Constitutional Court ruling, which concluded he had already served two terms.

Until his recent passing in South Africa, where he was receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, Lungu remained a strong critic of President Hichilema, frequently alleging harassment, restrictions, and surveillance by the state—claims repeatedly denied by the government.

Zambia is currently in a 16-day period of national mourning, but the latest developments raise uncertainty over how and when the late leader will be brought home and buried.

The government has not yet issued an official response to the family's announcement.