LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed sadness over the ongoing disputes surrounding the delayed burial of his predecessor, sixth President Edgar Lungu.
He said he regrets that the matter has caused headaches and heartaches not only to the family but also to the nation, the region, and even the international community.
Speaking during an interview at State House with veteran British journalist Martine Dennis, President Hichilema apologised for the situation and stressed that his government’s stance was not based on personal motives.
He clarified that the desire to have Mr. Lungu buried in Zambia is rooted in the wishes of the Zambian people and the precedents set for past leaders.
The President emphasised that the court case surrounding the burial has delayed efforts to accord Mr. Lungu a dignified and respectful state funeral.
“I feel extremely bad that this debate is taking angles that are delaying the respectful burial of our sixth President, President Lungu,” he said.
“I feel very sad about it. But we are hoping that reason will prevail at some point. Because while the litigation is going on, we are negotiating,” he added.
President Hichilema dismissed claims linking the burial delays to witchcraft or voodoo, saying he personally does not believe in such practices.
“As a Christian, as a family man, I have never believed in witchcraft. Such a subject shrouded in secrecy should not take centre stage,” he stated.
He further underscored that only God gives and takes away life, while any human termination of life occurs through criminal acts such as shooting or poisoning.
The Head of State stressed the need to focus on giving Mr. Lungu a burial befitting his status, with full military honours, just like the five presidents before him.
“Let’s bury him in the place that citizens have chosen. There’s no malice. There should be no issue of witchcraft,” he added.
He questioned the logic of such accusations, asking: “Honestly speaking, what would one do with the dead?”
When asked why he could not simply let the issue rest and concentrate on other matters with elections approaching, President Hichilema replied that it was not about him but about the wishes of the Zambian people.
He noted that citizens’ decisions — moral, legal, and customary — must be respected by those in public office.
“So the issue of moving on, moving on to go where? Economic management continues, election management continues, and respecting the wishes of Zambians also continues,” he said.
President Hichilema acknowledged the concerns of the Lungu family, saying government remained open to engaging with them after an honourable burial is completed.
He apologised once again for exposing the family, the country, the region, and the world to what he described as an unfortunate situation.
The Lungu family, meanwhile, has challenged the South African High Court’s decision to order the repatriation of the former President’s body.
Analysis
The impasse over Edgar Lungu’s burial has become not only a family and national matter but also a political and symbolic one for Zambia.
President Hichilema’s remarks reflect an attempt to strike a delicate balance between respecting tradition, upholding the wishes of citizens, and maintaining dignity for his late predecessor.
His outright dismissal of witchcraft allegations underscores the danger of allowing superstition to overshadow legal and cultural processes in a democratic state.
The delay, however, risks creating deeper political divisions, with the burial of a former head of state becoming entangled in courtroom battles and public debates.
Moving forward, Zambia’s leadership will be tested not only in handling the burial with dignity but also in ensuring that the episode does not set a precedent for future disputes over state funerals.
Ultimately, the way Edgar Lungu is laid to rest will reflect the country’s respect for its history, its values, and its ability to unite even in moments of disagreement.
