Latest news with #Lungu
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'.
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Edgar Lungu: Activists claim Zambian leader used Zimbabwean passport in South Africa
(From left) Mthetho Ngcukayitobi, Lebogang Shovhote, Bonang Sepoloane of Progressive Forces of South Africa sitting next to Mthunzi Luthuli from the Progressive Civics Congress demanding that the body of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu be repatriated to his home country. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL Activists under the umbrella of Progressive Forces of South Africa insist they have it on good authority that the late Zambian former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu was using a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport during his stay, before he was admitted and later died in a Pretoria hospital. The allegations have been widely reported in different countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) following the death of the former president in June. Lungu passed away on June 5 at the private Mediclinic Medforum hospital in Pretoria CBD. A bitter cross-border wrangle has since erupted with the Zambian government seeking to repatriate his remains for an official state funeral. However, Lungu's family has, on the other hand, insisted on burying him in South Africa following a collapse of engagements. Allegations have swirled around Lungu's sojourn in South Africa, where he eventually passed away. Amid the reports of Lungu's apparent obscure identity, the government of Zimbabwe rubbished the reports alleging that Lungu held a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport. Earlier this month, Zimbabwe's Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, entered the fray, describing the widespread reports as "mischievous falsehoods". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading We wish to categorically state that the late former Zambian President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu did not hold a Zimbabwean passport or nationality. Any such suggestions are just mischievous falsehoods. — Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) July 1, 2025 'We wish to categorically state that the late former Zambian President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu did not hold a Zimbabwean passport or nationality. Any such suggestions are just mischievous falsehoods,' Mangwana wrote on X. The reports claimed Lungu had travelled to South Africa on a Zambian diplomatic passport, but he quickly switched to a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport under the alias 'Tendai Munyaradzi' even when he was admitted to the Pretoria hospital. Allegations are that Lungu used the Zimbabwean passport to fly out and return to South Africa, before he was admitted to the hospital. On Thursday, Progressive Forces of South Africa activists rekindled the allegations at a media briefing held in Midrand, adding that they have contacted the Department of International Relations (Dirco) and Home Affairs for clarity. The media briefing on Thursday was also addressed by multiple community organisations, including the Confederation of South Africans Unity represented by Cosmos Motha; Rea Aga Committee led by Michael Kgosana, and the Thembelihle Residents Association represented by Mary Tati. Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu's death has triggered a bitter dispute between his family and the Zambian government led by President Hakainde Hichilema. Image: File 'It has now come to light, to us, that the former president Edgar Lungu was allegedly admitted into a Pretoria hospital under a false name. That forces us to ask critical questions on our own government. Who did South African authorities officially declare dead?" said Mthetho Ngcukayitobi, leader of the Progressive Forces of South Africa movement. 'This is not a trivial question. When a former head of state dies on South African soil, there are protocols and national guidelines and the national population register processed but in this case, none of these processes were properly followed. 'Instead, we are left with secrecy, irregularity and the risk of a diplomatic crisis unfolding on our watch. Why is our government so silent on this? Let us not forget why this matter is so sensitive for the people of Zambia,' he said. Ngcukayitobi claimed that when Lungu arrived in South Africa on January 19, he was picked up from the airport by an Audi Q7 vehicle owned by a Zambian businessman based in South Africa. IOL reported on Thursday that the Progressive Forces of South Africa activists are demanding that Lungu's body be repatriated to Zambia for burial, not in South Africa as Lungu's family wishes. 'Our duty is to protect the country from internal and external threats. On the issue of Mr Edgar Lungu, this comes as a threat to South Africa as a nation. The question is, when a person of the stature of Mr Lungu is being buried, whose flag is being lowered? Is it our South African flag, or is it a Zambian flag? This is not anybody,' said Rachel Makhubele, secretary of Defend South Africa. 'He deserves dignity as the former president of Zambia. The issue of the family, as Defend SA we stand for transparency and accountability. The family should go back home and account for those crimes that we hear. South Africa is not a country where we harbour criminals. The government should try to control the level of criminals that are entering our South African country. 'We have the issue of illegal immigrants in South Africa, it is not a lie. We are dealing with this issue. If a person of Mr Lungu's status is buried in South Africa, it will encourage many Zambian citizens to come here, saying they are coming to see their president's grave. At the end of the day, they end up staying in South Africa,' she said. Makhubele insisted that she was not being xenophobic, but her organisation is 'trying to protect what belongs to us'. IOL reported last month that the government of the Republic of Zambia said it will abide by the ruling of South African courts in the tense standoff over the burial of the mortal remains of the country's former president. One of Africa's deepest episodes of political rivalry and animosity is playing out before South African courts, with Lungu's family saying one of the former president's dying wishes was that his successor and political nemesis, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, should not go anywhere near his body. However, state funeral arrangements made in Zambia, in anticipation of receiving the former president's mortal remains in Lilongwe, had Hichilema at the center, as the commander-in-chief of the Zambian Defence Forces. The Zambian government had planned State funeral arrangements in Zambia, in anticipation of receiving the former president's mortal remains in Lilongwe, with Hichilema at the center of the ceremony. Bonang Sepoloane, national organiser of Progressive Force of South Africa, said the family of the late president has to go back to Lusaka and answer the charges before the courts. 'As South Africans, we know very well, we have the issue of land since colonisation and also apartheid. We have land claims that are being claimed via ancestry lineage. Graves are part of the instruments that we use when we want to claim the land. In the future, we are going to have an issue of Lungus in the generation to come and claim land in South Africa, pointing to their grandfather's grave. She acknowledged that Zambia played a pivotal role towards the independence of different African nations, including South Africa. Zambia still has graves of several South African freedom fighters who were exiled during apartheid. Some of the skeletal remains of the freedom fighters have recently been repatriated back to South Africa. 'We are not fighting the Zambians. What we will not allow is the current African leaders who loot coffers of their people, to come and enjoy the loot in peace, in South Africa. We know very well that African leaders have been looting their countries, and going to enjoy these resources in Europe and the West. 'With this case, we have now found that there are more looters who have found a haven in our country South Africa,' said Sepoloane. Indigenous monarch King Khalo la Bataung Jacob Hlalele of the Bataung ba Hlalele Royal Kingdom sent condolences to the Lungu family and the people of Zambia. He however insisted that Lungu's body must be buried in Zambia. 'I am saying, it will be a taboo if we can let the Zambian president be buried here. Everybody, according to the traditions, culture and rituals, must be buried where the elders' bones and graves are. No negotiations. I do not need to say anything. This is our people and this is what we know,' he said. 'Let the Zambian president go and be buried where his ancestors are close.' Indigenous monarch King Khalo la Bataung Jacob Hlalele of the Bataung ba Hlalele Royal Kingdom with Mthetho Ngcukayithobi of the Progressive Forces of South Africa at a media briefing on former president of Zambia Edgar Lungu. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL Mthunzi Luthuli from the Progressive Civics Congress also added his voice, saying Lungu should be buried amongst his people, particularly in the designated area reserved for leaders. "It cannot be that people come from foreign countries to bury their presidents here in South Africa," he said. Last month, IOL reported that the High Court in Pretoria had unexpectedly halted the family's plans to bury the former president in South Africa. The court ruling was delivered just moments before a private ceremony was set to commence on Wednesday. The court ruled that a full hearing on the merits of the case will take place on 4 August. IOL News
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Civil organisations call out Ramaphosa over silence on Edgar Lungu's burial controversy
Late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu who died on South African soil. Image: Rogan Ward/Reuters Civil organisations have questioned President Cyril Ramaphosa's silence regarding the controversy surrounding the burial of late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu. The organisations under the banner Progressive Forces For South Africa that include, The South African Concerned Citizens Association, March and March and Reakga Community Project among others laid their concerns bare during a press briefing in Midrand on Thursday. A dispute has erupted between the Zambian government and Lungu's family over whether he should be buried in South Africa or repatriated to Zambia for a state funeral. Lungu died last month in South Africa and his remains have become the centre of a dispute. In the Pretoria High Court, the Zambian government filed an urgent application to prevent Lungu's burial in South Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They argued that as a former president, Lungu "belongs to the nation of Zambia" and should be interred there. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema underscored this point, drawing a parallel to the precedent of founding President Kenneth Kaunda's burial in Zambia, which occurred despite his family's desires. Lungu's family, however, had opted for a private ceremony in South Africa. The High Court halted plans for the burial in South Africa just as it was about to start, following an agreement between the parties. The court has given the Zambian attorney general until a specified date to submit papers in support of Lungu's repatriation to Zambia, with the matter to be heard on August 4, 2025. Leader of the organisation, Mthetho Ngcukayithobi is questioning why Ramaphosa has remained silent on the matter saying that South Africa has a diplomatic stance when it comes to former presidents of other states. Ngcukayithobi also alleged that Lungu was admitted into a Pretoria hospital under a fake name prompting more questions for the South African government. 'The Lungu saga makes us ask critical questions about our own government. Who did the authorities declare dead?...When a former president dies on foreign soil there are diplomatic processes…But in this case it seems none of the steps were followed. Why is our government silent on this?' Ngcukayithobi asked. "We are saying go and clear your name. We are also saying the former president cannot be buried in a foreign country when he was a president in Zambia. The Zambians deserve to bury their leader," said Ngcukayithobi. The organisation expresses concerns about potential land claims by the Lungu family in South Africa if he is buried there, highlighting the country's ongoing issues with land claims. 'We, in South Africa, have land issues, with some claims still being processed. We don't want a situation where Lungu's descendants come to claim land here because their ancestor is buried here,' Ngcukayithobi said. Ngcukayithobi also pointed out that members of Lungu's family are facing serious corruption charges in Zambia, including charges related to proceeds of crime and money laundering against his children. "The former first family are facing serious corruption charges back home. This is about state capture and asset looting in Zambia. These beneficiaries live in SA comfortably," said Ngcukayithobi. The dispute over Lungu's burial underscores the tense relationship between him and his successor, President Hichilema, which continued even after Lungu's death. During Lungu's presidency, Hichilema was arrested for treason. Lungu's family during a press briefing recently asserted that the reason they did not want the former president to be buried in Zambia was because they feared his remains would not be properly buried because of the feud with the current president. South African presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya had not responded to the allegations at the time of going to print
The South African
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Africa Watch: Did Mnangagwa help Lungu with a Zimbabwe diplomatic passport?
The sudden death of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu in South Africa last month has taken a twist, with claims emerging that he was in the country using a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport. Following Lungu's death and delayed burial, claims are that he may have been travelling under a diplomatic passport, possibly with the help of his long-time ally, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. RELATED | Power: The truth behind Africa's longest-serving presidents Given the long-standing relationship between Lungu and Mnangagwa, some observers have begun asking the uncomfortable question: Did Zimbabwe's leader help his ally by granting him special travel privileges? Zanu PF has denied the claims in the strongest terms. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana posted on X: 'We wish to categorically state that the late former Zambian President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu did not hold a Zimbabwean passport or nationality. Any such suggestions are just mischievous falsehoods.' Journalists Hopewell Chin'ono and Maynard Manyowa have both highlighted concerns around the alleged misuse of diplomatic passports in Zimbabwe. Manyowa claims that South African officials are raising concerns about the high number of red passport holders they encounter. Chin'ono says authorities are handing these documents to girlfriends, wives of political elites, and even radio presenters. Zimbabwean officials have long used diplomatic passports. The Gold Mafia documentary by Al Jazeera revealed how religious figure Uebert Angel allegedly used it. He allegedly used his diplomatic status to smuggle gold out of the country. Taking advantage of the immunity that comes with such passports. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Diplomatic tensions mount as Zambia and Lungu's family clash over burial in South Africa
Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu's death has triggered a bitter dispute between his family and the Zambian government led by President Hakainde Hichilema. Image: File A diplomatic and legal impasse over the burial of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has sparked tensions between Lusaka and Pretoria, exposing deep political rifts and challenging cross-border legal norms. On Wednesday, moments before a private burial ceremony was set to begin at Johannesburg's Cathedral of Christ the King, the High Court in Pretoria issued an emergency order halting the proceedings. The decision followed a petition filed by Zambian Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, who argued that Lungu, as a former head of state, must be accorded a full state funeral in Zambia. Lungu, 68, died earlier this month in South Africa while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. His death has since triggered a bitter dispute between his family and the Zambian government led by President Hakainde Hichilema. At the heart of the standoff is a fundamental disagreement: Lungu's family insists that one of his final wishes was to be buried privately, away from the political theatre of Lusaka, and without the involvement of his successor and long-time rival, Hichilema. In contrast, the Zambian government maintains that, as a former president, Lungu must be buried on Zambian soil with full military honours — and with the current head of state presiding. While the Zambian state prepared for a formal reception of Lungu's remains in Lusaka, complete with military honours and a public funeral, the family quietly made arrangements for a private burial in South Africa. The Pretoria court's ruling has now placed the funeral in limbo, pending a full hearing scheduled for August 4. South African officials have found themselves caught in the middle of the high-stakes diplomatic and legal standoff. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has declined to comment publicly but confirmed it is engaging both parties to ensure compliance with South African law. 'We recognise the sensitive nature of this matter,' a DIRCO spokesperson said. 'We are working closely with the Zambian authorities and the family to support a peaceful resolution.' Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe addressed the issue during a live interview in South Africa, calling for cooler heads to prevail. 'This situation is regrettable,' Haimbe said. 'We must honour our former president with dignity, but also uphold the rule of law and the unity of our nation.' Observers say the dispute is as much about legacy as it is about politics. Lungu and Hichilema's acrimonious relationship dates back years. After losing the 2016 presidential election to Lungu, Hichilema was arrested and charged with treason — a move widely viewed as politically motivated. After defeating Lungu in the 2021 polls, Hichilema accused his predecessor of corruption and abuse of power, deepening their political enmity. Lungu's body remains in South Africa, a symbol of unresolved wounds in Zambia's democratic journey.
