LUSAKA–(MaraviPost)-Edgar Lungu — former Zambian president — died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, prompting his daughter, Tasila Lungu, Member of Parliament for Chawama Constituency, to travel abroad for funeral and related proceedings.
Her prolonged absence from parliamentary sittings has triggered a formal challenge over whether she should retain her seat.
During a parliamentary session on July 15, 2025, an MP raised a point of order questioning whether it was proper to continue recognising her as an MP, given reports that the family might not return to Zambia.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, reserved her ruling at the time but later stipulated that Tasila Lungu must present herself either at the parliamentary offices or the House within 14 days after her father’s burial — or within 14 days of the opening of the Fifth Session of the 13th Assembly.
As at now, no public announcement has been made by the Speaker or the official parliamentary records indicating that her seat has been declared vacant.
Because her burial has been delayed due to ongoing legal disputes in South Africa over repatriation of the body, the deadline for her return has continued to be subject to postponement — complicating the process of deciding the fate of the Chawama seat.
Despite growing demands from constituents and local governance experts calling for her replacement — arguing that Chawama has effectively been without active representation — the matter remains unresolved until the Speaker’s formal ruling.
In summary: while Tasila Lungu’s seat is under serious threat due to prolonged absence, she has not officially lost it yet. The final outcome depends on whether she returns to the House within the timeframe mandated by the Speaker or whether the Speaker rules to declare the seat vacant.
