Online Reporter
Online Reporter
The family of Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the late former President of Zambia, has confirmed that he will be laid to rest in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This decision follows a contentious period marked by a standoff between the family and Zambian authorities over his burial arrangements.
In a statement, the Lungu family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and condolences from across Africa and the globe.
“We wish to announce that the funeral and burial of our beloved Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu will take place in South Africa, in accordance with the family’s wishes for a private ceremony,” the statement read.
The family also extended their appreciation to the South African government for its respectful support and commitment to honouring their wishes.
The decision comes after the family’s initial plans to return Lungu’s body to Zambia were cancelled, sparking confusion and tension between the family and the Zambian government.
President Hakainde Hichilema had declared a national mourning period, but the family’s insistence on a private burial led to its abrupt conclusion, highlighting the complexities surrounding Lungu’s final wishes and the political dynamics at play.
Peter Tanyanyiwa