News / Africa
Zambia government distances itself from circulating letter in Lungu burial dispute
3 hrs ago |
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A document purportedly issued by State House in Zambia has been circulating on social media, claiming to instruct Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha to withdraw from legal proceedings involving the remains of former President Edgar Lungu.
The letter, dated 24 April 2026 and bearing the name of Christopher Mundia, Special Assistant to the President for Legal Affairs, states that “continued engagement in court proceedings would result in unnecessary expenditure of public resources” and suggests that decisions regarding Lungu’s burial should be left to his family.
The image, which carries a “Lily Mutamz TV” watermark, has been widely shared on Facebook and WhatsApp.
As of Friday morning, State House had not issued any statement confirming the authenticity of the document. The Attorney General’s Chambers also did not respond to requests for comment. Government spokespersons have previously warned the public about forged documents circulating during the ongoing dispute over Lungu’s burial.
Observers noted that the language and formatting of the circulating letter differ from standard State House communications, which are typically released through the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) or the President’s verified social‑media platforms.
The document surfaced amid a year‑long legal standoff over the former president’s remains. Lungu died in South Africa in June 2025, and since then his family and President Hakainde Hichilema’s government have clashed over burial arrangements.
This week, the High Court in Pretoria ordered that Lungu’s remains be returned to Two Mountains Burial Services after Zambian authorities briefly took custody. The Attorney General confirmed that the body had been moved to a South African government facility before the court intervened.
The family had earlier withdrawn an appeal against a ruling granting the state authority to conduct a national funeral, but later filed an urgent application challenging the transfer of the remains. ENSafrica, representing the funeral operator, has since asked not to be included in further applications by the family.
The burial impasse has divided public opinion in Zambia, with some calling for a state funeral to bring national closure, while others insist that the family’s wishes should take precedence. Cultural expectations around timely burial have intensified criticism of the prolonged delay, now approaching 11 months.
The government says it remains open to engaging the family on final arrangements, though no date has been set for repatriation or burial.
The letter, dated 24 April 2026 and bearing the name of Christopher Mundia, Special Assistant to the President for Legal Affairs, states that “continued engagement in court proceedings would result in unnecessary expenditure of public resources” and suggests that decisions regarding Lungu’s burial should be left to his family.
The image, which carries a “Lily Mutamz TV” watermark, has been widely shared on Facebook and WhatsApp.
As of Friday morning, State House had not issued any statement confirming the authenticity of the document. The Attorney General’s Chambers also did not respond to requests for comment. Government spokespersons have previously warned the public about forged documents circulating during the ongoing dispute over Lungu’s burial.
Observers noted that the language and formatting of the circulating letter differ from standard State House communications, which are typically released through the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) or the President’s verified social‑media platforms.
This week, the High Court in Pretoria ordered that Lungu’s remains be returned to Two Mountains Burial Services after Zambian authorities briefly took custody. The Attorney General confirmed that the body had been moved to a South African government facility before the court intervened.
The family had earlier withdrawn an appeal against a ruling granting the state authority to conduct a national funeral, but later filed an urgent application challenging the transfer of the remains. ENSafrica, representing the funeral operator, has since asked not to be included in further applications by the family.
The burial impasse has divided public opinion in Zambia, with some calling for a state funeral to bring national closure, while others insist that the family’s wishes should take precedence. Cultural expectations around timely burial have intensified criticism of the prolonged delay, now approaching 11 months.
The government says it remains open to engaging the family on final arrangements, though no date has been set for repatriation or burial.
Source - Byo24news
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