"Zambia's Controversial Battle Over Edgar Lungu's Remains: A Nation Divided"
"It's coming home!" – a phrase indelibly linked to English football fans – has now gained currency among some Zambians in the battle over what to do with the body of former President Edgar Lungu.
The 68-year-old died two months ago in South Africa while being treated for an undisclosed illness. In the latest episode of what has become a full-blown saga, a Pretoria court ruled in favor of the Zambian government, stating that Lungu's remains can be repatriated and given a state funeral, despite the family's objections.
This decision triggered celebrations among some supporters of the governing party, who shared social media posts with the phrase "It's coming home," as if Zambia had won a trophy. While this response may seem undignified, it symbolizes the divisive and partisan nature of the situation.
For many, the sorrow and grief surrounding Lungu's passing have faded into feelings of fatigue, overshadowed by a host of pressing economic problems. Yet, public discussions continue to be dominated by the fallout from the death of the former president, who led the country for six years from 2015.
The roots of this controversy lie in the feud between Lungu and his successor, Hakainde Hichilema, who soundly defeated him in the 2021 election. The situation has spiraled into a row filled with wild accusations of witchcraft.
When the South African judge made the ruling last week, the anger from Lungu's older sister, Bertha Lungu, was palpable. She burst into tears, hurling unsavory words at Zambia's Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, who was present in court. "Kabesha, Lungu is not your father's son… he's not Hakainde's son… This is really painful. I don't want to go to Zambia," she cried, as family members struggled to comfort her.
The body has not yet been repatriated to Zambia because the Lungu family is appealing against the South African judge's decision, with a hearing scheduled for Friday. Initially, the family had agreed to a state funeral in June, but plans fell apart over a dispute regarding Hichilema's role in the proceedings. Lungu's family insists that one of his dying wishes was for Hichilema to stay away from his body.
The animosity stems from the more than 100 days that Hichilema spent in detention in 2017, awaiting trial on treason charges. He was accused of endangering Lungu's life after his motorcade allegedly refused to yield to the president's. The charges were dropped only after intervention from the Commonwealth's secretary-general. This incident is one of several times Hichilema faced arrest while in opposition.
In turn, the Lungu family has alleged persecution under Hichilema's administration. Tasila Lungu and the former president's widow, Esther, continue to face corruption charges, which they deny.
The Lungu family has vowed to wait for the court process to ensure he receives a dignified burial, even if it means stalling the process. They are open to burying Lungu in Zambia but want to honor his wishes that Hichilema should not attend the event.
The authorities, however, are adamant that the former president should receive a state funeral attended by his successor. The government has even indicated that Lungu may be buried without the family's involvement. "If they want to set a precedent, let them give us reasons why the current president should not go near the casket," Kabesha stated. "We are ready as a government to discuss with the family, but if they choose not to participate, we will proceed and bury without them."
There is no Zambian law dictating how former presidents should be buried, but traditionally, all ex-leaders have received state funerals and been buried at Embassy Park, specifically reserved for them.
Sishuwa Sishuwa, a Zambian historian and senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University, strongly disagrees with the idea that Lungu could be buried without his family's involvement. He argues that such statements are culturally insensitive and undermine the government's claims of wanting to provide a dignified burial.
"The failure by Hichilema to rein in the unruly conduct of his officials and supporters has fed public perception that the president approves of such conduct and consequently heightened divisions," Sishuwa noted. He believes that had Hichilema publicly indicated he would stay away from the funeral, Lungu would have been buried long ago.
The authorities' determination to take Lungu's body from the grieving family in the name of a dignified funeral has not only worsened political divisions but has also fueled beliefs that the body may be wanted for "occult reasons," in a country where belief in witchcraft is prevalent.
Nevers Mumba, leader of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, which is allied with Hichilema's party, defended the president, stating that Hichilema's actions are driven by a deep sense of duty. "He fights, with a clear conscience till the end, and he keeps on refining his methods until he gets it right," Mumba wrote on social media.
How long this battle will continue is uncertain, but several episodes of this saga are yet to unfold. Zambians may try to focus on other matters, but they will inevitably be drawn into the debate over whether Lungu's body should "come home."
