Latest news with #EstherLungu
Daily Maverick
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Political burial row — former Zambian president Edgar Lungu snubs incumbent from the grave
Edgar Lungu's wife, Esther, says in an affidavit that her husband had insisted that Hakainde Hichilema should be 'nowhere near his funeral or body'. Lungu's family says he was repeatedly denied permission to travel to South Africa for medical care and argues that his cancer could have been treated if identified sooner. The Zambian government accuses his widow of making 'scandalous and vexatious' allegations. The family of the late former Zambian president Edgar Lungu says plans to repatriate his body to Zambia were halted over the government's inclusion of current president Hakainde Hichilema in the funeral programme. In papers submitted to the High Court in Pretoria, former first lady Esther Lungu has explained why the family has refused to allow the Zambian government to repatriate Lungu's remains to Zambia, forcing a court battle over who has the right to bury the former head of state. Esther Lungu, who now lives in Centurion, is adamant that her late husband would not have wanted to be buried by the Zambian government if Hichilema was involved in the funeral. A draft programme released by the government showed that Hichilema would play a key role, presiding over the burial of his one-time rival. 'During the late former president Lungu's time in South Africa, he was open and consistent in expressing his wish that, upon his death, the current president (Hakainde Hichilema) should be nowhere near his funeral or body. These intentions were communicated on numerous occasions to me and other family members. His reasons were rooted, not only in his personal mistreatment, compromised safety and medical care, but also in the principled rejection of a ceremonial burial by a government that had, in his view, forsaken and persecuted him in life,' Esther says in the affidavit. Esther Lungu has accused the government of denying him the opportunity to seek lifesaving medical attention in the two years before his death, further souring an already tense political relationship. Who decides? According to the papers, the Lungu family have not found a will belonging to the former president and as a result argue that they should decide on where he should be buried. '(Lungu's) status as a former Head of State does not displace or override the rights of his immediate family, particularly in the absence of any legal authority, judicial order, or formal consent authorising interference with those burial arrangements,' Esther Lungu says in her affidavit. Lungu died in a Johannesburg hospital on 5 June and was due to be repatriated a few days later. He had travelled to South Africa for medical treatment and upon arrival was told that he had advanced cancer of the oesophagus. According to Zambia's attorney-general, Mulilo Kabesha, who deposed an affidavit on behalf of the Zambian government, the family had initially agreed to having Lungu returned to Zambia. Kabesha says the family planned to return to Zambia via private jet and 'planned to transport the body to Ndola, where the late President Lungu was born, Kitwe where he lived during his formative years and Petauke where he hailed from'. 'This was to provide the opportunity to the late President's supporters and friends to pay their last respect before proceeding to Lusaka.' The government offered to transport the mortal remains on a military jet and foot the bill for the burial, but the family objected, saying Lungu wanted to be repatriated 'in the same manner that he travelled to South Africa, namely by charter plane'. Kabesha also confirmed that the government officials were informed that Lungu did not want Hichilema to attend the funeral. Kabesha says the family and government officials continued to negotiate for another week and during a meeting on 14 June a 'roadmap was agreed upon' that would see Lungu returned to Zambia via charter jet and buried on 23 June at Embassy Memorial Park. This roadmap was communicated to Zambian media. Kabesha says the family 'reneged' on the agreement a few days later. '(Esther Lungu's) catastrophic about-turn led to a flurry of diplomatic activities from 18 June to 23 June 2025 and (the Zambian government) sent numerous delegations to (Mrs Lungu) to implore her and the other family members to revert to the initial arrangements and to permit the late President's body to be repatriated and thereafter for the Zambian established customs and protocols to be followed,' Kabesha said. He added that Mrs Lungu raised several issues including 'general mistrust of the present regime and an objection to the current sitting head of state being allowed to receive the body'. 'Even though discussions between officials of the government of Zambia were ongoing, (the government) was notified through social media at 12:15 on 23 June 2025 of that (Mrs Lungu) and other family members have resolved to bury the late president Lungu in Johannesburg on 25 June in a private ceremony.' In court papers, the Lungu family admit that they met representatives from the government but deny Kabesha's version of the outcome. 'It was proposed that the current President only be allowed to receive foreign dignitaries and could be present at the funeral where foreign heads of state would be present. The current President was not to play any further role in the burial,' Esther Lungu says. The South African burial was interdicted by the government and Lungu's remains are being kept at the Two Mountains funeral home in Midrand. Benefits Kabesha argues that the Zambian government has a clear right to dictate the terms of burial of a head of state, based on the country's Benefits Act, which specifies the benefits allocated to former heads of state including pension and state burial. However, the Lungu family challenges this, saying the current administration had terminated Lungu's benefits in October 2023, after Lungu announced plans to return to active politics. According to the family, Lungu's benefits had been 'revoked prior to his passing, rendering him a private citizen at the time of his death'. 'During the period his benefits were revoked, he was compelled to seek financial support from family and friends and was forced to leave Zambia to receive medical treatment in South Africa, fearing politically motivated medical negligence in his home country,' Esther Lungu says in the affidavit. She adds that the removal of the benefits was 'a deliberate act' by the government aimed at 'weakening' Lungu. The government has another view, saying Lungu's benefits were not terminated but suspended. 'His entitlement to benefits was suspended when he became engaged in active politics and upon his passing on, the impediment that existed fell away,' Kabesha said. Feud Lungu served as president of Zambia from January 2015 to August 2021 under the banner of the Patriotic Front. He was succeeded by Hichilema, the rival leader of the United Party for National Development, who remains president today. During Lungu's term Hichilema was arrested on treason charges but was released after 100 days in custody. Since leaving office, Lungu and his family have been accused of corruption and theft of government motor vehicles and property. Esther Lungu alleges these accusations are politically motivated. Kabesha, on behalf of the Zambian government, says the cases against Lungu's family should not have a bearing on the case involving his burial. The Lungu family say they plan to remain in South Africa due to the conditions they have faced in Zambia. They also allege that they incurred up to R1-million in costs for the aborted burial and funeral which was interdicted by the government. Esther Lungu says the halting of the funeral 'caused great harm and embarrassment to the family'.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
The death of a former Zambian president: diplomacy, grief and ubuntu
Esther Lungu, former president Edgar Lungu's wife, is grappling with grief and unanswered questions after his death. Image: Supplied Sifiso Sonjica The passing of a former head of state is invariably a profound and reflective moment for any nation. In Zambia, a country with a proud legacy of democratic governance, cultural reverence for elders and strong communal values, the death of a past president initiates a period of mourning, national reflection, and often, political reconciliation. Yet, as evidenced by the complex and contested death and burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, such events also carry deep diplomatic, legal, and emotional implications. They unveil fault lines within the state, raise questions about family rights, and underscore the challenges of balancing state authority with the wishes of grieving relatives. Importantly, these events remind us of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes our shared humanity and moral obligation to care for one another. In light of this, I found it worthwhile reflecting on the events surrounding Edgar Lungu's death and burial, the diplomatic entanglements that followed, the grief endured by his family, and the lessons that the African continent can draw through the lens of Ubuntu. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government is trying to force the repatriation of former president Edgar Lungu's body. Image: AFP The death and the diplomacy around It Lungu, who was Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until 2021, died on June 5, 2025, at a hospital in Pretoria. He was receiving treatment for a rare esophageal condition when complications from surgery resulted in his death. In response, the Zambian government declared a seven-day period of national mourning, which was later extended by an additional nine days. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and a state funeral was planned in Lusaka, in line with national customs and protocols for former presidents. However, what was intended to be a respectful and unifying national homage quickly turned into a diplomatic dispute. A private family service was scheduled in Johannesburg, but the Pretoria High Court, acting on a request from the Zambian Attorney General, stopped the burial, asserting that Lungu, as a former head of state, was both legally and symbolically a representative of the Zambian nation and therefore deserved a state burial in his homeland. South African officials, caught between honoring the family's wishes and maintaining diplomatic decorum, expressed regret over the situation while advocating for a solution that would respect the deceased's dignity. This unforeseen international legal conflict created a complex diplomatic challenge, turning what should have been a sacred and solemn event into a politically charged and widely publicised confrontation. Zambian President Edgar Lungu. Image: Rogan Ward/Reuters Burial standoff: State versus family At the heart of this controversy was a tense standoff between the Zambian government and the family of the deceased president. The authorities were adamant about bringing Lungu's remains back for interment at Embassy Park, the official burial site for national leaders in Lusaka, citing both national customs and constitutional precedent. They maintained that a state funeral was not merely a formality but an essential expression of national identity and respect. In contrast, Lungu's family asserted that he had specifically requested that President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral, due to unresolved issues and allegations of persecution after his presidency. They also criticized the government's approach, arguing that the personal wishes of the deceased and the emotional needs of the family were being overshadowed by political symbolism. On June 18, the family obstructed the repatriation of his body, alleging a violation of their agreement. The next day, President Hichilema declared the official end of national mourning, stating that it was no longer practical to indefinitely delay the funeral arrangements. Subsequently, on June 20, the family made the unprecedented choice to privately inter Lungu in South Africa, marking him as the first former Zambian president to be buried outside the nation. However, on June 25, the High Court intervened once more, suspending the burial until a final decision on jurisdiction could be made on August 4. This ongoing standoff highlights a complex conflict involving national identity, personal legacy, family grief, and legal jurisdiction. It evolved into more than just a burial; it became a confrontation between constitutional formalities and deeply personal mourning. Diplomatic undercurrents This unusual incident has also put a strain on the diplomatic ties between Zambia and South Africa. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation expressed support for the family's desires but remarked that a state funeral in Zambia would be "most appropriate" for someone of Lungu's stature. Pretoria's repeated legal interventions highlighted the complexities involved in hosting a former foreign head of state and emphasized the necessity of adhering to international norms and cross-border legal frameworks. President Hichilema formally apologised to the South African government, describing the situation as "diplomatic embarrassment". His apology recognized that internal conflicts - stemming from Zambia's unresolved political tensions - had spilled over into the regional sphere, disrupting diplomatic decorum and potentially harming Zambia's reputation as a model for peaceful political transitions. This situation highlights the urgent need for African nations to establis hprotocols that balance state responsibilities with the sensitivities of grieving families, particularly in cases involving prominent national figures whose legacies elicit mixed public reactions. Family's pain and public grief In the aftermath of his passing, the Lungu family has been engulfed in grief, exacerbated by public attention, legal challenges, and political unrest. They have faced intense media scrutiny, public discussions, and legal orders that have repeatedly interrupted their mourning. Most poignantly, reports have surfaced indicating that some family members have encountered travel bans and pressure from various political figures. Makibi Zulu, a family representative, poignantly remarked, 'Perhaps this time, Edgar has refused to be laid to rest without the truth being revealed.' This sentiment captures the family's view that Lungu's death has become a disputed story, highlighting deeper issues within Zambia's political landscape. Unverified claims of poisoning and systemic harassment have further politicised his death, complicating the family's quest for closure. As they navigate both personal loss and public controversy, the Lungu family's suffering underscores the challenge of disentangling the personal from the political in the life - and death - of a public figure. Their sorrow has become a symbol of a wider national discomfort, as citizens grapple with how to honour leadership in a time of divided memories. Ubuntu and pathways to healing The African concept of Ubuntu, often translated as 'I am because we are,' provides a vital framework for how such national moments can be approached with compassion, dignity, and unity. Ubuntu calls for empathy, shared humanity, and communal responsibility - values that are indispensable in moments of grief and division. As such, African societies must prioritize empathy over politics when national figures pass. Grieving families deserve support and space to mourn. This principle applies regardless of one's political alignment or opinions of the deceased's legacy. More so, the death or burial of a leader should not inflame tensions. Elders, traditional leaders, and mediators must facilitate respectful dialogue between state officials and families to avoid conflict and ensure dignity for all parties. This is important in balancing state honour with family customs. Most importantly, I am of the view that African Union and SADC should consider formal protocols for cross-border funerals of former leaders to prevent similar disputes and ensure that such events foster unity rather than discord.
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The death of a former Zambian president: diplomacy, grief and ubuntu
Esther Lungu, former president Edgar Lungu's wife, is grappling with grief and unanswered questions after his death. Image: Supplied Sifiso Sonjica The passing of a former head of state is invariably a profound and reflective moment for any nation. In Zambia, a country with a proud legacy of democratic governance, cultural reverence for elders and strong communal values, the death of a past president initiates a period of mourning, national reflection, and often, political reconciliation. Yet, as evidenced by the complex and contested death and burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, such events also carry deep diplomatic, legal, and emotional implications. They unveil fault lines within the state, raise questions about family rights, and underscore the challenges of balancing state authority with the wishes of grieving relatives. Importantly, these events remind us of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes our shared humanity and moral obligation to care for one another. In light of this, I found it worthwhile reflecting on the events surrounding Edgar Lungu's death and burial, the diplomatic entanglements that followed, the grief endured by his family, and the lessons that the African continent can draw through the lens of Ubuntu. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government is trying to force the repatriation of former president Edgar Lungu's body. Image: AFP The death and the diplomacy around It Lungu, who was Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until 2021, died on June 5, 2025, at a hospital in Pretoria. He was receiving treatment for a rare esophageal condition when complications from surgery resulted in his death. In response, the Zambian government declared a seven-day period of national mourning, which was later extended by an additional nine days. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and a state funeral was planned in Lusaka, in line with national customs and protocols for former presidents. However, what was intended to be a respectful and unifying national homage quickly turned into a diplomatic dispute. A private family service was scheduled in Johannesburg, but the Pretoria High Court, acting on a request from the Zambian Attorney General, stopped the burial, asserting that Lungu, as a former head of state, was both legally and symbolically a representative of the Zambian nation and therefore deserved a state burial in his homeland. South African officials, caught between honoring the family's wishes and maintaining diplomatic decorum, expressed regret over the situation while advocating for a solution that would respect the deceased's dignity. This unforeseen international legal conflict created a complex diplomatic challenge, turning what should have been a sacred and solemn event into a politically charged and widely publicised confrontation. Zambian President Edgar Lungu. Image: Rogan Ward/Reuters Burial standoff: State versus family At the heart of this controversy was a tense standoff between the Zambian government and the family of the deceased president. The authorities were adamant about bringing Lungu's remains back for interment at Embassy Park, the official burial site for national leaders in Lusaka, citing both national customs and constitutional precedent. They maintained that a state funeral was not merely a formality but an essential expression of national identity and respect. In contrast, Lungu's family asserted that he had specifically requested that President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral, due to unresolved issues and allegations of persecution after his presidency. They also criticized the government's approach, arguing that the personal wishes of the deceased and the emotional needs of the family were being overshadowed by political symbolism. On June 18, the family obstructed the repatriation of his body, alleging a violation of their agreement. The next day, President Hichilema declared the official end of national mourning, stating that it was no longer practical to indefinitely delay the funeral arrangements. Subsequently, on June 20, the family made the unprecedented choice to privately inter Lungu in South Africa, marking him as the first former Zambian president to be buried outside the nation. However, on June 25, the High Court intervened once more, suspending the burial until a final decision on jurisdiction could be made on August 4. This ongoing standoff highlights a complex conflict involving national identity, personal legacy, family grief, and legal jurisdiction. It evolved into more than just a burial; it became a confrontation between constitutional formalities and deeply personal mourning. Diplomatic undercurrents This unusual incident has also put a strain on the diplomatic ties between Zambia and South Africa. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation expressed support for the family's desires but remarked that a state funeral in Zambia would be "most appropriate" for someone of Lungu's stature. Pretoria's repeated legal interventions highlighted the complexities involved in hosting a former foreign head of state and emphasized the necessity of adhering to international norms and cross-border legal frameworks. President Hichilema formally apologised to the South African government, describing the situation as "diplomatic embarrassment". His apology recognized that internal conflicts - stemming from Zambia's unresolved political tensions - had spilled over into the regional sphere, disrupting diplomatic decorum and potentially harming Zambia's reputation as a model for peaceful political transitions. This situation highlights the urgent need for African nations to establis hprotocols that balance state responsibilities with the sensitivities of grieving families, particularly in cases involving prominent national figures whose legacies elicit mixed public reactions. Family's pain and public grief In the aftermath of his passing, the Lungu family has been engulfed in grief, exacerbated by public attention, legal challenges, and political unrest. They have faced intense media scrutiny, public discussions, and legal orders that have repeatedly interrupted their mourning. Most poignantly, reports have surfaced indicating that some family members have encountered travel bans and pressure from various political figures. Makibi Zulu, a family representative, poignantly remarked, 'Perhaps this time, Edgar has refused to be laid to rest without the truth being revealed.' This sentiment captures the family's view that Lungu's death has become a disputed story, highlighting deeper issues within Zambia's political landscape. Unverified claims of poisoning and systemic harassment have further politicised his death, complicating the family's quest for closure. As they navigate both personal loss and public controversy, the Lungu family's suffering underscores the challenge of disentangling the personal from the political in the life - and death - of a public figure. Their sorrow has become a symbol of a wider national discomfort, as citizens grapple with how to honour leadership in a time of divided memories. Ubuntu and pathways to healing The African concept of Ubuntu, often translated as 'I am because we are,' provides a vital framework for how such national moments can be approached with compassion, dignity, and unity. Ubuntu calls for empathy, shared humanity, and communal responsibility - values that are indispensable in moments of grief and division. As such, African societies must prioritize empathy over politics when national figures pass. Grieving families deserve support and space to mourn. This principle applies regardless of one's political alignment or opinions of the deceased's legacy. More so, the death or burial of a leader should not inflame tensions. Elders, traditional leaders, and mediators must facilitate respectful dialogue between state officials and families to avoid conflict and ensure dignity for all parties. This is important in balancing state honour with family customs. Most importantly, I am of the view that African Union and SADC should consider formal protocols for cross-border funerals of former leaders to prevent similar disputes and ensure that such events foster unity rather than discord.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Edgar Lungu funeral: Zambia's ex-president left instructions that Hichilema should stay away
Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu, who died last week, left instructions that his successor Hakainde Hichilema "should not be anywhere near" his body, a family spokesman has is the latest development in the bitter feud over funeral plans for the late president following his death in South Africa at the age of 68. The government had planned to fly his body back home on Wednesday, but failed to do so because of a dispute with Lungu's family and his political party, the Patriotic Front (PF), over mourning and funeral arrangements. The two leaders were long-standing political rivals, with Hichilema defeating Lungu in the 2021 election after failing in five previous attempts. Lungu died of an undisclosed illness, but the PF said last week that he had been receiving "specialised treatment" in South Africa. The PF alleged that Lungu was banned from leaving the country for years and that if he had been allowed to travel to seek medical treatment sooner, he might still be government has denied the row causes chaos for mourners of Zambia's ex-presidentZambia's Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe was among government officials who flew to South Africa on Wednesday for talks with Lungu's widow, Esther, and his influential daughter, Tasila, to break the deadlock over what happens next. The government wants to give Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, a state funeral. The Lungu family's spokesman, lawyer Makebi Zulu, previously told the BBC that the family was not opposed to this, but it wanted a say over who would preside over the service. However, in a video released from South Africa on Thursday, Mr Zulu said the family had put in place "all logistics" to fulfil Lungu's wishes to be given a private funeral and that Hichelema "should not be anywhere near" his government was behaving as though the family had "no say" over his burial and the way he should be mourned, Mr Zulu was the family's desire that the "conscience of the deceased should not be betrayed", he said. The government has not yet responded to the family's latest position, but said in an earlier statement that "constructive consultations" were continuing to ensure a "smooth repatriation" of Lungu's body. The dispute has caused much sadness and confusion among Zambians who are unclear how to mourn the government declared a seven-day national mourning period starting last Saturday, even though the PF announced one days government declared that the official venue for mourning would be a lodge it owns in the capital, Lusaka, but the PF dismissed this plan, directing mourners to its headquarters lawyer John Sangwa told the BBC that the "tug-of-war" highlighted the need for Zambia to come up with a law which outlined funeral arrangements for presidents and ex-presidents, but he believed that at the end of the day the wishes of the family should be Lungu's defeat in the 2021 election, he stepped back from politics but later returned to the remained the biggest political drawcard of the PF, and he had ambitions to vie for the presidency at the end of last year the Constitutional Court barred him from running, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law. More BBC stories from Zambia: 'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian tabooAn ancient writing system confounding myths about AfricaZambia president orders ministers to stop sleeping in cabinet Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
