PF CELEBRATION CUT SHORT AS SOUTH AFRICA REJECTS BURIAL OF EDGAR LUNGU ON ITS SOIL
🇿🇲 PF CELEBRATION CUT SHORT AS SOUTH AFRICA REJECTS BURIAL OF EDGAR LUNGU ON ITS SOIL
Lusaka, Zambia – June 21, 2025
What was seen by some members of the Patriotic Front (PF) as a political victory has been abruptly disrupted after the South African government officially rejected the proposed burial of late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in Johannesburg.
The decision follows government-to-government consultations between Zambia and South Africa, during which Pretoria reportedly advised against hosting the burial of a foreign head of state within its borders, citing diplomatic protocol and national policy.
The unexpected reversal has sparked mixed reactions across Zambia and beyond, with some PF members and supporters visibly disappointed after prematurely celebrating what they saw as a symbolic snub to the current UPND-led administration.
FAMILY’S PLANS THROWN INTO CONFUSION
The Lungu family, which earlier announced that burial arrangements would proceed in South Africa, is now left in a state of confusion and may be forced to revisit plans and possibly hold the burial in Zambia.
According to sources close to the matter, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) informed the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria that while they respect President Lungu’s legacy, they will not proceed with allowing his interment on South African soil due to diplomatic considerations.
> “South Africa must act within its foreign policy framework. This is not about disrespect, but procedure,” a Pretoria-based analyst told Tonny Linyanga Reports.
POLITICAL REACTIONS
Zambians have taken to social media, with many questioning the politicization of a national funeral, while others have called for unity and decency in giving the late leader a dignified send-off—regardless of location.
> “This is embarrassing. How did we get here, where we can’t even bury a former president in peace?” posted one user on X.
> “Time to stop using death for politics. The man deserves rest, not drama,” another wrote.
GOVERNMENT SILENT
As of now, the Zambian government has not issued a formal statement regarding the rejection, but officials close to State House hint that discussions with the Lungu family are ongoing in hopes of finding a peaceful resolution.
For now, the final resting place of the former president remains unknown, and all eyes are on both the family and government for the next move.
> Follow Tonny Linyanga for real-time updates as this story develops.
The Lungu family is being used by some PF members they want to gain sympathy from public .
ReplyDeleteJob well done ✅✅ south Africa that is the only way to go for the sake of peace between our two countries thanks 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you so much south Africa for not accepting to be part of conflict which they want to bring in country
ReplyDeletePlease south African we hve not rejected our former head of state it's the family that is doing that but as zambians we are asking under which case is this . Presidents was not a family head of state but for all of us Zambians our hearts a bleeding so hard towards this descions that is painting our country sovereignty
ReplyDeleteThat is the way . Thank you God
ReplyDeleteChase them in south Africa
ReplyDeleteWell done SA,don't allow yourselves to be part of this drama of people who want to gain political mirage over a dead person.We thank you SA for a deplomatic Stacy on this one..
ReplyDeleteA wrong advice, decision over an issue is costly at the end of the day!
ReplyDeleteThat's the way to go let him be buried where he ruled 7 solid years
ReplyDeleteHeart blessings with deep feelings of sorrows.we are very disappointed with the family as well they are being used by some political learders family is failing to come up with a strong decision to
ReplyDeleteOoh yes they have just done what needs to be done, because there is no way, how come the whole country mourned and all of the sudden you want to change the burial site???
ReplyDeleteDoes it mean he wasn't Zambian olo Shani?
STUPID FAMILY OF IDIOTS AND CRIMINALS.I HOPE ITS TRUE.THEY THINK 🤔 THEY CONTROL THE WORLD THESE FORMER POOR IDIOTS FROM JACK COMPOUND.NO ONE KILLED HIM,HE DIED BECAUSE OF HIS LONG HISTORY OF BEER ABUSE
ReplyDeleteBut do you need to insult them what are you losing if just comment like patriotic Zambian why you people find pleasure in other people's grief
DeleteWho else has seen the dead body? But family members and their Spock's person only. I wonder if he really is dead!
ReplyDeleteThat's only solution
ReplyDeleteBa PF don't start a fight you can't finish.
ReplyDeleteI will fight for you says the Lord.HH vindicated, yes it's was not about him but a lot that will soon be revealed. " Lesa ni malyotola" bemba saying 🙏🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteThanks SA for upholding rule of law.considering protocols for the foreign policy.
ReplyDeleteThis thing which is happening, it is not the Will of government no but the family of ecl are the who cause this big confusion and I'm appreciating people both Zambian and South Africa for enduring this chaos situation.
ReplyDeleteGood move, commendable bold decision
ReplyDeleteHope so
ReplyDeleteJob well done south Africa let that body come back to his country
ReplyDeleteFake.
ReplyDeleteATI fake atini? Haven't you heard that the SAs are saying they will exhume the body, continue playing jokes, you think this a movie!
DeleteWay to go back south africa
ReplyDelete