LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-“It’s coming home!” – a phrase famously associated with English football fans – has now become widely used by some Zambians amid the dispute over the body of former President Edgar Lungu.
The 68-year-old passed away two months ago in South Africa, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
In the latest development of a saga that has gripped the nation, a Pretoria court ruled in favor of the Zambian government, allowing Lungu’s remains to be repatriated and given a state funeral, despite the objections of his family.
This ruling sparked celebrations among some supporters of the ruling party, who shared the phrase “It’s coming home” on social media, likening the decision to a football victory.
For many others, the situation has become a source of fatigue, overshadowing the grief that followed Lungu’s passing.
Despite more pressing economic challenges in the country, public discourse continues to focus heavily on the fallout from the former president’s death.
The controversy initially stemmed from a feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, who defeated him decisively in the 2021 elections.
The dispute has now taken on a more sensational tone, with allegations of witchcraft being mentioned in public discussions.
Lungu’s widow, Esther Lungu, and other family members have insisted on having the final say over his burial arrangements.
The Pretoria judge’s ruling prompted an emotional outburst from Lungu’s elder sister, Bertha, who confronted Zambia’s Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha in court.
She cried and expressed her anguish, saying she did not want to return to Zambia under these circumstances, while her niece Tasila Lungu tried to comfort her.
The remains have not yet been returned to Zambia because the Lungu family is appealing the court’s decision, with the hearing scheduled for Friday.
Initially, the family had agreed in June to a state funeral in Zambia, but disagreements arose over the role President Hichilema would play in the ceremonies.
The Lungu family emphasized that one of Edgar Lungu’s final wishes was for Hichilema to stay away from his body.
Underlying the tensions is the history of Hichilema’s detention in 2017, when he spent over 100 days in custody on treason charges related to allegedly endangering Lungu’s life.
Charges against Hichilema were eventually dropped following intervention from the Commonwealth secretary-general, marking one of several times he was arrested while in opposition.
The Lungu family maintains that they have faced political persecution under Hichilema, with Tasila and Esther Lungu denying corruption charges leveled against them.
According to their spokesperson Makebi Zulu, the family is prepared to wait as long as necessary to ensure Lungu receives a burial they consider dignified.
The authorities, however, insist that the former president should receive a state funeral attended by his successor and accorded the honors due to a former head of state.
The government has even suggested that Lungu could be buried without family involvement if necessary.
The Attorney General questioned why the family should dictate the president’s proximity to the casket and indicated that the government would proceed if the family opts out.
Zambian law does not specify procedures for the burial of former presidents.
Traditionally, former leaders are given state funerals and buried at Embassy Park, a site specifically reserved for them.
Sishuwa Sishuwa, a historian and senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University, criticized the government’s approach, calling it culturally insensitive and politically motivated rather than in the public interest.
Dr. Sishuwa argued that had Hichilema publicly indicated he would stay away, the burial would have taken place long ago.
He also noted that the government’s insistence on taking control of Lungu’s remains has heightened political divisions and fueled beliefs that the body may be wanted for occult purposes in a country where witchcraft beliefs are widespread.
Nevers Mumba, leader of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, defended President Hichilema, saying the president acts out of duty and pursues what he believes is right with a clear conscience.
How long this dispute will continue remains unknown, but additional episodes in this saga are expected.
Although Zambians may attempt to focus on other national issues, the debate over whether Lungu’s body should “come home” continues to dominate public discussion.
Concluding Analysis
The battle over Edgar Lungu’s burial highlights the intersection of politics, family wishes, and cultural expectations in Zambia.
It reflects deep-seated political rivalries that persist beyond electoral defeat and even after the death of a national leader.
The government’s insistence on a state funeral has amplified perceptions of partisanship, while the family’s resistance underscores the importance of personal and cultural considerations in burial practices.
This controversy also illustrates how unresolved historical tensions, such as Hichilema’s previous detention, can shape present conflicts.
Ultimately, the saga reveals the delicate balance between respecting family autonomy, honoring former leaders, and maintaining national unity in the face of deeply polarizing political narratives.
