ZAMBIA HELD HOSTAGE BY ONE MAN’S EGO” – LUBINDA BLASTS STATE OVER LUNGU FUNERAL, CALLS FOR OPPOSITION UNITY

 ZAMBIA HELD HOSTAGE BY ONE MAN’S EGO” – LUBINDA BLASTS STATE OVER LUNGU FUNERAL, CALLS FOR OPPOSITION UNITY



In a scathing interview on Emmanuel Mwamba Verified, Hon. Given Lubinda, Acting President of the Patriotic Front and the Tonse Alliance, delivered a fiery critique of President Hakainde Hichilema’s government, accusing it of cruelty, tribalism, and dismantling Zambia’s democracy.


Speaking live from South Africa, where he has been standing in solidarity with the Lungu family, Lubinda said what many have been whispering:


> “To keep the remains of a former president in a morgue for 60 days just so one man can preside over the funeral? That’s not protocol. That’s cruelty. That’s ego.”





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“THE STATE WAS SILENT. WE WERE FORCED TO LEAD.”


Lubinda recounted how news of President Lungu’s death broke not through government channels but from his grieving family.


> “From 6 AM we waited. By 11 AM it was confirmed. But by 3 PM, it was his daughter, not the Head of State, who had to speak to the nation. That was the first betrayal.”




With no guidance from the State, Lubinda called an emergency PF NEC meeting, declared a national mourning period, and mobilized the party’s provincial offices to become hubs of mourning.



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A FUNERAL TURNED INTO A BATTLEFIELD


Lubinda didn’t mince words. He accused the State of breaking prior agreements with the family, trying to impose a closed church service, and excluding PF leaders from receiving the late president’s body.


> “This wasn’t about honoring a leader. This was a power grab dressed in black,” Lubinda said.




He further revealed that T-shirts bearing Lungu’s image were printed without the family’s or party’s consent, and that the State even sued the family—in a foreign court.



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“THIS IS ONE MAN’S TYRANNY”


Lubinda made it clear: the issue is not government policy — it is President Hichilema’s personal obsession.


> “No Cabinet resolution. No national consensus. Zambia is not being governed by law anymore — it’s being ruled by decree.”




He warned that regional leaders and South African authorities had tried to intervene but failed to make President Hichilema budge.



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THE TRIBE QUESTION RETURNS


The interview turned tense when Catholic Priest Father Pombo criticized some politicians from Luapula, Northern, and Eastern provinces for being used by the UPND to fracture the opposition.


A female caller fired back, accusing the priest of being tribal. But Lubinda doubled down:


> “Zambians are not tribal. It’s the political elites — especially in the UPND — who’ve used tribal identity as a weapon since Mapatizya in 2006.”




He cited HH’s lopsided appointments and regional favoritism, calling on Zambians not to remain silent.


> “If you want to call out tribalism, start with the President. Don’t pretend.”





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A CAPTURED STATE: PARLIAMENT, JUDICIARY, AND MEDIA


Lubinda warned that Parliament is no longer independent:


> “MPs are suspended for telling the truth. One was abducted and vanished. The Speaker answers questions before ministers do. Parliament is now a puppet of State House.”




He also pointed to the Judiciary, saying even new courts are being created by decree, not law.


> “Zambia is not under democracy. It is under a one-man rule.”





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UNITY OR BETRAYAL: THE ROAD TO 2026


Lubinda ended with a powerful call to action:


> “PF will not go it alone. Any party that does, betrays the people. We must fight tyranny together.”




He reaffirmed his commitment to building a united opposition front to face the 2026 elections:


> “We don’t have the luxury of ego. We have a country to rescue.”




And with his voice steady, Lubinda closed the interview with a chilling truth:


> “They feared Edgar Lungu in life. They fear him even more in death. But no matter how long they delay it — his body will come home. And so will the hope he stood for.”




✍️ By Brian Matambo

📍 Political Analyst & Media Consultant, Reporting from Sandton, South Africa

🔗 Follow: Zambia Yatu for full coverage



💬 Do you believe this funeral has been politicized beyond repair? Is it time for Zambians to unite?


#GivenLubinda #EdgarLungu #LunguFuneralCrisis #Z

ambiaPolitics #EmmanuelMwambaVerified #ZambiaFirst #TribalismInPolitics #StateCapture #PF #TonseAlliance #ZambiaYatu


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