State expresses regret, assures ongoing dialogue with family and South African authorities
The Zambian Government has confirmed that the remains of the late Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu,were not repatriated to Zambia on the expected date of Wednesday, 18th June 2025. In a press statement released by Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, the Government acknowledged the national disappointment and reaffirmed its commitment to securing a dignified and united send-off in consultation with the bereaved family.
The statement reveals that despite diplomatic engagements and progress made through joint discussions with the Lungu family and the South African Government, the anticipated arrival was delayed. The Government maintains its readiness to honour the late President with a State Funeral and full military honours, pledging continued engagement until an amicable resolution is reached. Church leaders have been thanked for their neutral mediation.
Full official statement
Republic of Zambia
Press Statement for Immediate Release
The Government wishes to inform the nation that the remains of the Late Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, were not repatriated to Zambia today. We acknowledge that this is contrary to the previous announcement that the remains would be received in Zambia, today Wednesday, 18th June 2025.
This is not the outcome we sought. We acknowledge the disappointment this may bring to many, and we share in that sentiment. Throughout this trying time, you, the Zambian people, have exemplified the core values that define us in our motto of
“One Zambia, One Nation”.
Over the past two weeks, the Government of the Republic of Zambia has been fully engaged with the bereaved family of our late Sixth President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to secure the dignified repatriation of his mortal remains from South Africa and the conduct of a State Funeral here at home. Government has also made efforts to engage the Government of the Republic of South Africa to assist with the repatriation of the remains of the late former Head of State through diplomatic efforts which resulted in the arrangement for military honours to be accorded at the send off ceremony of the late former President of the Republic of Zambia.
Despite the challenges encountered along the way, the discussions yielded significant progress. On Saturday, 14 June 2025, Government and the family reached a common understanding, after which a joint press briefing was held in Pretoria on Sunday June 15, 2025. A detailed programme was then publicly announced by the family, outlining the arrival of the body in Lusaka on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, and the burial on Monday, 23 June 2025. In this same joint address, it was announced that the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema would superintend over the State Funeral, as Head of State.
The Government and the people of Zambia are as per our laws and tradition, on matters related to the handling of the affairs of a deceased former Head of State still prepared to accord our 6th Republican President with full military honour’s due to him as a former Head
of State of this country. The State Funeral was to honour his services to this nation, and to accord the people of Zambia an opportunity to bid him farewell and a dignified funeral.
Nevertheless, Government remains open, and indeed committed, to re-engagement until an amicable resolution is achieved.
In that spirit, we are grateful for the continued mediation by senior church leaders who are faithfully serving as neutral facilitators between Government and the family. Their counsel and prayers are most welcome at this delicate hour.
The Government wishes to appeal to each one of us to remain calm, united, and prayerful. Let us avoid speculation, divisive rhetoric, or actions that may inflame emotions. Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu served this nation at the highest level. He deserves a final resting place marked by dignity, decorum, and national solidarity.
At an appropriate moment, the President will address the nation and provide further guidance. Until then, the Government will continue its consultations with the family, mindful of the need to accord our late former President the honour commensurate with his office and service.
May the Almighty God guide our deliberations, comfort the bereaved family, and bless the Republic of Zambia as we navigate this trying period together.
I thank you, and may God bless our great nation.
Patrick Kangwa
Secretary to the Cabinet
Released to the Media
18th June, 2025
Ubuwelewele na.mumfwa.
So why was the airport not closed for the arrival of Mwanawasa and Satas remains? Awe, you are special. Just causing problems where things are straight forward
Family is the final authority on this funeral. And they must not be demonised for sticking to what they want. This not the 1600s where the state will dictate, no this is 2025. NO, please. The government is unnecessary delaying this funeral, we want to bury with dignity and go back to our lives. You agree things and start changing, with whose authority?
Edward
When were those dates you are mentioning?……
The population has grown by a 1/4 if not more since then…..
The airport is of limited capacity
FED2031
Respect the wishes of the family please. You agree things then you start adding things. ECLs family comes first in the descision making in this, infact the order is his Family first, his party second then the state and we the people third
And attention-seeking PF ex politicians 4th
The family needs to realise that when the president sore oath to serve Zambia as president…….
He belongs to all Zambians so to speak…….
Being president is not like owning a market stall where anyone can interject …….
He was not a common man…..
If anything the family should have advised him not to run for president
FWD2031
Bati kwena ubufi bulabwela ati when were those dates….. the population … no capacity…
IWE! THEY BUILT A NEW AIRPORT!!
Sanga Lubilo
Even if it is a new airport bane…….
Do you think half the population of Lusaka can fit in there. ????
Some people don’t think
FWD2031
You know if you have advisors like Wynter Kabimba and Laura Miti, they can mislead you to close the airport to mourners. And ati lawless warlord Chabinga was even on the invitation list to the airport, very provocative. I hope it is not true
#Respect the wishes of the family
Do you know the airport is of limited
capacity ????
FWD2031
The government has made a genuine effort, but it appears that PF and his family have their own agenda. People are tired, it’s time to move on.
Move on Blago, nobody is stopping you. Infact what are you waiting for? Family and genuine mourners will mourn the way we want, and not dictates from anybody. Please move on, we have no shortage of mourners. Infact when you move on, we expect that you will make an attempt to start correcting the economy which UPND has messed up. I can send you the economic stats from the time you took over.
@Lesident, we actually have. We have not lost sight of the sheer arrogance of the party he led. The anarchy brought on by the cadres that run amok, the gassing of people, the wealth amassed in a such a very short time., the kolaption….. Adding to all this, the sheer craziness of holding the mortal remains for selfish personal gain. He does not care, he has passed on and needs to be buried. Whether here or there should not matter anymore.
Lest you forget, Lesident, the previous govt just had to go and Zambians chose what was the only alternative. We just wanted you gone to never come back.
It also genuinely recognized Chabinga as the PF President, right after it genuinely helped sampa hold a bogus convention at mulungushi, it also genuinely blocked ECL to travel abroad for medical purposes and genuinely refused to fund his medical bills, yes we are very much aware of how genuine the new dawn government is when it comes to such matters, you will only come to know how genuine the people of Zambia genuinely love you when we got to vote next year
I’m breaker and I genuinely approve this message
Lesident
The family should have stopped the late mr lungu from becoming president…….
When he swore oath, he now represents all Zambians in life and in death , bearing in mind the state protocols and functions…..
He was no longer a common man…..
FED2031
Say what you want upnd has lost the moral high ground which ever way this turns out !!!
They have not……
PF and the family are starting to look ridiculous……
People are now fed up of them with call for them to be kicked out of SA…..
FWD2031
My concern are the outbursts from people like LauraM, so condescending. Now that she is joined by Dola, it’s become a lodge of duo egos.
Talking of egos: while the State wants to bulldoze all the way through, the family of the deceased put their foot down. Aren’t they important stakeholders who shouldn’t be belittled? What would the president lose by bending a little? What will the Lungu’s lose if they sacrifice a little?
Don’t forget, the country must move on. Blame games don’t move things. They stagnate matters.
The country and state is bigger the ECL……,
When lungu took oath of presidency, the family should have know that he now represents all Zambians, even in death…….
Being president is not like your father owing a Coner shop , no…….
FWD2031
Being president is indeed a difficult challenge and being an assute businessman doesnt make you a good president
Let’s meet at 2026 polls
Even Satan is surprised,how on earth can a person chose which plane to carry his body,who to receive at the airport,which road to use from airport,which provinces to view his body,who to come to his funeral,which preachers to preach at church service.You have even surpassed anything human or christian.
back bencher
Hades is full of surprises himself. Why should he be surprised about mortal man’s simple wishes?
In fact he must be surprised that you think Lungu has faked his own death. No wonder the president wants to see him lifeless firsthand at the airport. The force of ecl is still so potentially feared that he may on resurrection pull a quick one at the next 12 August elections.
Don’t forget that our president is so superstitious, but self-important that he can stop at nothing to secure his reelection after seeing how sweet the seat is. Hasn’t he bought adhesives to stick himself to that sofa?
Muntu.
WE JUST WANTED YOU GONE, TO NEVER COME BACK.
Your wish has already been granted. No wonder you are fighting them down to the grave.
For four years you have failed on your reign, but busy dismantling the PF.
The international community is in fact watching the upnd stubbornness. GRZ thinks triumphing over the deceased is synonymous with winning a general election. The Lungu’s are just mere citizens who are not asking for too much. What do you think will happen if their insignificant wish was granted? Would government stop functioning?
The phobia of PF return to power.
Their wish should not infringe on state protocol, functions and security……..
Simples
FWD2041
For you as government, mourners to the airport is by invitation meaning others are not wanted. But for you to be told by the family that some of you are not wanted at the funeral it should be a problem. What type of Christian nation is this one where leaders are just full of themselves? Me,myself and I
When the late president signed up to be republican president, surely……..
The family knew that he now represents all Zambians………
From that time he swore the oath, to the time of his death , he represented every Zambian………he was not any man on the street
The family should not have allowed him to represent Zambia as president if they are being so childish by preventing the country from mourning the late president ………
FWD2041
The government does not want to be outnumbered by the PF supporters. That is why in this country there are no political rallies. If today a rally was to be held even in honour of the late president we will all see how the UPND will be dwarfed. This is the prime reason government is playing politics. The president should come out to ask Zambians what they will feel if he stayed away from the funeral. The constitution does not say he should just like it also says he should not as president continue living in his personal home even as it inconveniences citizens as he goes to and knocks off from work.
Don’t forget, even with laws or without them we have managed before in the past. Time to bend like we have bended before in the past. Our office of presidend still remains intact, regardless.
The worst government. No wonder failure in every where. Thanks ECL I was buying my roller meal at K90 and breakfast at K120. I did not have 17hrs of loadshedding. Infrastructure is everywhere for all to see. My fuel was K17. For these even respecting the family wishes they are failing.
It is the chaos and violence that come with PF gatherings that the government fears……..
We all know what hoards of PF caders represent……..
They should not be allowed to congregate, other wise violence and chaos is guaranteed……
FWD2031
Takwaba Mwebantu
I can also say we miss MMD and that worse PF GRZ spoiled everything…….
In MMD I used to buy fuel for Kw5 per litre
Maize meal was Kw25 , the dollar was 17 to 1…….
Useless PF
FWD2031
Have we forgotten that Lungu retired from active politics?
Let’s not forget that he did
Do you remember the reason he gave to the press for the comeback from retirement? He saw a retirement as a blackmail and he was right going by what followed up to today.
If we forgot this, which I doubt, apart from your mere pretentiousness, then here is a reminder.
It was HH who drew him back by playing with his party, pf.
He came back to save the party from, open interference and mutilation, piece by piece with government blessing, hence he is a martyr. He died for what he stood for. All those involved in his demise should not with their blue eyes, stick their small pointed noses in this funeral.
Don’t forget, I said the truth; nothing but the truth.
He was a selfless man who could not bite the bait of what he called CRUMBS in exchange for the death of his party. He is a legend.
forget not
Totally the opposite……..
Lungu only came back because his family’s wealth they could not explain was being grabbed…….period
Also the late lungu single handed destroyed PF , leaving a party with no leader and a party dependent on cader violence and GRZ corruption……..
FWD2031
Why are you so much drenched in coded obligations? Don’t you think if you were fixated on these same protocols in his living years, all this confusion would have been avoided?
This funeral has revealed so much about the reign of the New Dawn. Is it flexible or rigid? Is it about protocols or scoring points? If procedures were broken/bend before, what is holding him back today from being flexible? Governance is tested when a crisis arises. Is HH still going to be unyielding? I am watching him, like everyone else is.
Today the country is out to shame not because of PF, but Upnd. If the government can rise above partisan politics, what have they done to quell the impasse apart from lip service? When the upnd flops as, they do in everything they touchor offer, they always shift their incompetence to the opposition scapegoating the PF.
The world has never laughed so much at this entangled mess
ONLY IN AFRICA
ZAMBIA comes first again
State and country is bigger than the late president lungu…….
Everyone one sees is seeing a family that wants wants state protocols, functions and security to be put aside……..can’t happen
The family should have stopped lungu being president, because when he swore oath, by precedent , he represented all Zambians, in life and in death………..
With state protocols, functions and security working as normal
FWD2031
Our soccer commentator, Dennis, when the situation is this tense, would say: let’s WAIT AND SEE. Meanwhile, FAZ after losing a game, quickly goes back to the drawing board. As it were time is going, tick, tick, tick, tick.. We wait to see or go back for negotiations again?
Our options, pregnant with the fruitage of solutions, have been lain on the table.