Some dispute over Edgar Lungu's repatriation from SA between family and Zambian govt

JOHANNESBURG - As tributes continue to pour in for former Zambian president Edgar Lungu, a spat over the repatriation of his remains from South Africa is now playing out publicly.

This after Lungu’s family announced it would independently repatriate the former head of state, despite an earlier announcement by the Zambian government that it would spearhead the process.

The family believes it would be a dishonour if it followed the government’s lead, accusing the current government of mistreating Lungu after his political rival, President Hakainde Hichilema, took office.

The 68-year-old, who became Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 until 2021, died while receiving specialised medical treatment at a clinic in Pretoria.

The Patriotic Front, which Lungu belonged to, said it respects the wishes of the family to limit the government’s involvement in the repatriation process.

In 2023, the Zambian government withdrew Lungu’s retirement benefits, including his security detail, a diplomatic passport, a furnished house, medical insurance and funeral benefits, following a decision to return to active politics after the 2021 loss.

Since his passing, the Zambian government has already hosted a vigil to mark the first day of a week-long national mourning period, with the Patriotic Front hosting an event of their own.

The party’s member, Miles Sampa, said the Zambian government must take a backseat to the family, citing their unfair treatment of the former president.

“Whatever he tries to do, they were stopping him, he tried to jog in the morning, they stop him, he tries to go to church, they stop him, tries to go to South Africa then they stop paying.”

While the family hopes to repatriate Lunga’s remains from SA back to Zambia on Wednesday, Sampa said the instructions about the funeral arrangements would also come from the family.

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