President Hakainde Hichilema and former President Edgar Lungu have been embroiled in a tumultuous relationship that has transcended into a profound public spectacle even after Lungu's recent passing. The two leaders, who have exchanged fierce accusations during their time in office, are now clashing over the details surrounding Lungu’s funeral, creating a scenario fraught with political tension.
Almost a month after his death at the age of 68, the issue of Lungu’s burial remains unresolved, reflecting the animosity that has characterized their rivalry. While Hichilema has called for a state funeral in Zambia, Lungu's family is adamant that their late relative wished to avoid any association with Hichilema’s government during his final rites, seeking instead to have him interred in South Africa, where he died after treatment for an undisclosed illness.
The competition between the government and Lungu's family reached a temporary halt last week when a South African court intervened. Following the Zambian government’s legal challenge to the family’s burial plans, a judge paused proceedings until the dispute can be legally resolved.
Lungu's family spokesperson, Makebi Zulu, emphasized their desire for a respectful burial free from political overtones. They argue that their intention is not to give in to public relations narratives that might distort Lungu’s legacy or misrepresent the political environment surrounding his funeral.
