from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE request by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for forensic examination of the body of the late Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, deepens the mystery surrounding his death and adds to the conflict between the Lungu family and the current Zambian government.
It is a fresh twist to a saga that has gripped Zambia for eight months now, starting with the death of the country’s sixth president, in South Africa, the wrangle between the deceased’s family and the government on his burial and the deadlock spilling into South African courts.
Officially, Lungu died due to cardiac complications following surgery at a hospital in Pretoria, aged 68.
In the latest episode, SAPS has obtained summons from the Randburg Magistrate’s Court compelling Two Mountains Funeral Services to release the body of former into its custody for a DNA test and autopsy following allegations of poisoning being behind his death in June 2025.
“The said body will be released back to the custody of Two Mountains Funeral Services immediately thereafter the said procedure is completed,” reads part of the summons.
Representing the Lungu family, the Johannesburg, South Africa-based Mashele Attorneys, has responded to the summons, addressing its response to SAPS’ Sergeant Nompilo Ngwenya.
“We find it necessary to record our clients’ concern regarding this request,” the law firm stated.
“Our clients maintain that these allegations are unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence,” Mashele Attorneys responded to the allegation Lungu was poisoned.
The High Court had earlier directed that possession and custody of the body remain with Two Mountains Funeral Services pending the finalization of the legal proceedings.
“Those orders are binding and operative,” the attorneys stated.
In Zambia, the latest developments are exacerbating the fallout between Lungu’s now-opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and the administration of President Hakainde, his successor.
PF believes the presidency and Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha are involved in the tensions in South Africa, by allegedly sponsoring the pressure group Progressive Forces of South Africa (PFSA).
The group comprising Zambians living in South Africa has over the months been conducting protests and press conferences, demanding the repatriation of Lungu’s remains to Zambia.
It is reported PFSA made the demands for the postmortem and criminal investigation into the death of Lungu.
They are reportedly relying on an interview that was earlier made and attributed to PF Secretary General, Raphael Nakacinda.
“The courts in South Africa have restricted access to the body but Kabesha and his surrogates are determined to access the body in whichever way they can,” said Emmanuel Mwamba, a chieftain of the PF.
“This is why suspicions are raised about the intentions. This evil charade must come to an end and dignity, even this late hour must be given to honour the late president,” Mwanza added.
Linda Banks, a critic asked, “Mr President Hichilema, what compelling national interest justifies demanding a post-mortem on a former head of state who you hated eight months after his death, knowing the potential legal, diplomatic and social consequences …and how does this decision serve unity rather than deepen division?”
Mark Simuuwe, spokesperson of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), said there was a need for due process in addressing matters that have arisen regarding alleged poisoning of the former president.
“Such claims should be properly heard and handled through established legal channels,” he said in Lusaka.
Pledging government’s commitment to give the former president a befitting send-off, Simuuwe said the administration had already extended an olive branch for dialogue with the Lungus over issues currently before the courts.
“The New Dawn administration remains open to engagement in order to bring closure to the matter in a dignified and lawful manner,” he said.
Government wants Lungu’s body repatriated for burial alongside other late former presidents at a site in Lusaka. The Lungus are protesting the presence of Hichilema in the funeral and burial, hence they were to bury him in South Africa until the Zambia government appealed to South African courts to intervene and halt the process.
Lungu was president from 2015 to 2021.
– CAJ News