Family Dismisses Poisoning Claims as Probe Delays Burial of Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu

The family of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu has rejected allegations that he was poisoned, describing the claims as baseless as investigations in South Africa continue to delay his burial months after his death.

Lungu died in June last year at the age of 68 while undergoing medical treatment in Pretoria. His remains have since been held in a South African mortuary amid a protracted dispute involving his family, the Zambia government and ongoing police inquiries.

In a statement, lawyers representing the family said they had responded to several subpoenas issued by the South African Police Service, which is probing claims that the former president may have been poisoned. The family’s legal team stressed that there is no credible evidence to support the allegations and said the family “categorically rejects” the claims.

The lawyers, Mashele Attorneys, confirmed that the family is cooperating fully with investigators but raised concerns over police requests involving the funeral service currently holding Lungu’s body. They noted that existing High Court orders require the remains to stay with the funeral provider until all legal processes are concluded.

South African police have declined to comment on the details of the investigation, describing the matter as sensitive and still under review.

Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021 before losing re-election to Hakainde Hichilema. Since his death, disagreement over his burial arrangements has escalated into a legal battle.

The Zambian government has sought to repatriate his remains for a state funeral with full honours. However, the family has opposed the move, saying Lungu had wished to be buried privately in South Africa and did not want his political successor to attend his funeral.

Although a South African court ruled in August that his body should be returned to Zambia, Lungu’s widow has continued to challenge the decision. She recently filed an appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, seeking to overturn the ruling.

As legal proceedings and investigations continue, the former president’s remains remain under tight security, with uncertainty persisting over when and where he will finally be laid to rest.