HH should not go to Lungu’s funeral;family insist on burial in Zambia

The family spokesperson for the late former president Edgar Lungu has stated that President Hakainde Hichilema should not attend the funeral, as per the family’s wishes.

Makebi Zulu mentioned that the family does not want President Hichilema or the Government to oversee the funeral arrangements in Zambia, preferring that the family take charge instead.

“The family does not agree with President Hichilema leading the arrangements because this is not a Presidential funeral; it’s a state funeral, and the President is not the state. His insistence goes against the family’s wishes, and there will be no compromise on this matter,” he explained.

While appearing on SABC news’s Face the Nation program in South Africa, Zulu clarified that the family is not opposed to burying Lungu’s remains in Zambia, but they do not want the government to control the burial process.

He emphasized that the family’s main goal is to give Lungu, who passed away on June 5, 2025, in South Africa, a respectful farewell, but the burial has been delayed due to disagreements with the government.

Zulu pointed out that the family’s decision to consider burial in South Africa stems from the government’s failure to uphold the agreement made with them.

“The State’s responsibility is to consult the family on how they wish to mourn and what role the government can play in the process. However, the government seems to believe they have ownership of the president’s body,” he stated.

“The family is not in conflict with the government; rather, the government is at odds with the family because they have turned this situation into a propaganda issue, trying to avoid embarrassment instead of focusing on the family’s interests,” Zulu added.

He also mentioned that while it is possible for the body to be buried in Zambia, the family no longer trusts the government after they broke their previous promises.

“After President Edgar Lungu’s death, we entered into negotiations with the Government of Zambia…