Online Reporter
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZAMBIA and the rest of the Southern African Development Community region have been plunged into mourning following the death of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu yesterday.
Dr Lungu (68), who served as Zambia’s 6th President from 2015 to 2021, died in a South African hospital after receiving weeks of specialised treatment for an undisclosed ailment. In a statement, Dr Lungu’s party, the Patriotic Front (PF), confirmed his death.
“The former President, who has been receiving specialised treatment in South Africa, died today Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. Chawama Member of Parliament and daughter to Dr Lungu, Hon Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, confirmed the sad development,” the PF said.
The PF said funeral arrangements for the former President will be communicated in due course.
In a short statement on Facebook, a tearful Lungu-Mwansa also confirmed her father’s death.
“Fellow Zambians, it is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, sixth President of the Republic of Zambia.
“My father President Lungu, had been under medical supervision in recent weeks. His condition was managed with dignity, privacy and support from all well-wishers.
“In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of one Zambia one nation . . . ,” she said in reference to Zambia’s founding motto popularised by the nation’s founding President Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Former President Lungu first ascended to the presidency in January 2015 following a tightly contested special election, held after the sudden death of sitting President Michael Sata.
The then 57-year-old lawyer-turned-politician narrowly secured victory with 48,3 percent of the vote, edging out his closest rival and current President Hakainde Hichilema by less than 28 000 votes in what analysts described as Zambia’s most competitive presidential race to date.
After serving out Mr Sata’s remaining term, former President Lungu consolidated his power in the August 2016 general elections. Despite facing stiff opposition, he captured 50,35 percent of the popular vote — narrowly avoiding a runoff by surpassing the 50 percent threshold by just 13 000 ballots.
In the 2021 election, former President Lungu lost by close to a million votes. He briefly retired but returned to frontline politics in 2023.
After returning to politics, the former president complained of police harassment. At one-point, he said he was “virtually under house arrest”.
In December last year, Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled unanimously that former President Lungu was barred from contesting the 2026 election because he has already served the maximum two terms.
