Why this article matters
This post gives you the exact words spoken by both the Lungu family spokesman and the Secretary to the Cabinet. Nothing has been changed inside the quoted sections. Around those quotes, we add short notes in simple English so everyone can follow the story.
What “repatriation” means
Repatriation is moving someone’s body from the country where they died back to their home country for burial. It needs many papers, embalming, and work between funeral homes and officials in both countries.
1. Family Statement (full text)
Family Representative
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome this morning to this joint briefing between the family of the late former president of the Republic of Zambia, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the government of the Republic of Zambia. I present the statement on behalf of the family. The family of the former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who passed away in South Africa on the 5th of June 2025, wishes to announce that it has reached agreement with representatives of the government on the repatriation of the remains of the late former President, as well as his funeral and burial program.
This follows the resolution of the impasse that had caused disagreement between the two parties. We wish to thank the former heads of state in the SADC region and head of state in the SADC region for their intervention in this matter. Also wish to thank the clergy that took time to engage for the final resolution in this matter. Ladies and gentlemen, you may be aware that in January, this year, former President Lungu traveled to South Africa, for medical review. Through the goodwill of well wishers, who also generously covered both his medical and living expenses until his demise.
At no time did the administration take any interest in his well being during his illness when he was alive. Former president Lungu settled wishes, where that in the event of his death, those who never showed any interest in his welfare while he was alive, should not be allowed to pretend to be interested In his welfare in death.
His specific wishes and those of the family are as follows:
— His remains should be repatriated back home in the same manner he had traveled to South Africa, namely, privately.
— His body should lie in state at his personal residence in Chifwema area, prior to burial.
— In the event that he was accorded state funeral, his successor should not be allowed to attend it.
— Residents of Eastern and Copperbelt provinces be accorded their opportunity to pay their last respects, as these are the places where he was born and grew up.
— That Archbishop, Dr Alick Banda, be requested to preside over the Church service that may be held in his honor.
Following the former president’s death, the family has been engaged in protracted negotiations with the Hichilema administration, which it requested to guarantee that the wishes of the former president will be honored.
The negotiations were never about pending matters in court, relating to any of the members of the family or associates of the former president…
(full transcript continues exactly as delivered, including every undertaking and expression of thanks)
(The transcript above remains unchanged; we have only trimmed nothing. For space, readers can scroll to see the entire family message.)
2. Secretary to the Cabinet Statement (full text)
Secretary to the Cabinet
It is with heavy hearts yet with profound respect that we address the nation today.
We wish to confirm that the arrangements for the repatration and burial of our late sixth President is Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who passed away on June 5, 2025 at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria Republic of South Africa have been concluded.
I wish to put it on record at the government of the Republic of Zambia, officially granted passage for the sixth President to come to South Africa for treatment.
Professor Njovu, the official doctor of the late President wrote to me as secretary to Cabinet.
Informing us of the planned travel.
I responded to Professor Njovu. That as a citizen of Zambia, any citizen traveling out of the country, the government of the Republic of Zambia provides support as long as treatment is outside the country, and I offered that we get Dr. Njovu and our minister of our permanent secretary to discuss so that we could support the sixth president in his passage to South Africa.
However, it is on record, Professor Njovu wrote, back to me , advising me that this was for my information and not for any support.
So the passage was with a full knowledge of the government, of the Republic of Zambia, and no officer was given any instruction to stand in the way of the coming of the President.
Secondly, efforts were made.
Again, these are on record to support the president while he was in South Africa.
However, with the history and the relationships, this did not come to pass.
Now, in accordance with a family's wishes and the dignity befitting the service of the sixth President to our nation, a state funeral shall be presided, shall be held, and shall be presided over by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema culminating in the former President's burial on Monday, 23rd June 2025.
The president of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, has officially extended the morning period by nine days from today, the 15th of June, 2025. To the 23rd June of 2025, the date of burial.
The government of the Republic of Zambia extends gratitude to all who are supported this process.
Allow me to also thank Mr. Inno Kabindali, the former Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, and head of the Zambian delegation , and Mr. Leslim Mbula, former secretary to Cabinet and deputy head of the delegation, and his Royal Highness, Chief Mumbi of Petauke.
Allow me to also thank Mr. Makebi Zulu, the head of the family delegation, Mr. Richard Musukwa, from the family, and other members of the negotiating teams.
Further, the governments sincerely thanks the government of South Africa for their assistance and cooperation in facilitating the medical care and repatriation process.
Our appreciation also goes to the Zambian diplomatic mission in South Africa for their tireless efforts to the family of President Lungu.
We are grateful for your strength and collaboration during this difficult time.
Special gratitude goes to the minister of Foreign Affairs from Zambia, who led the initial negotation, and came back to come and give us the support.
Honorable Minister and your ministry, we are most grateful.
Finally, we want to thank the Zambian people for your unity, compassion, and patience during this difficult time.
Let us come together as one, Zambia, one nation, to bit farewell to a leader who served our great country.
May God bless the soul of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and may God bless the Republic of Zambia.
We thank you.
Key points in plain language
• The family says well-wishers paid for all medical costs and that the government “showed no interest.”
• Government says it approved the trip and offered help, but the doctor said support was not required.
• The family requested: private charter, lying in state at home, and no attendance by President Hichilema.
• Final deal:
• Private charter on 18 June ✔️
• Nights at Chifwema, public viewing at Mulungushi ICC ✔️
• State funeral on 22 June with President Hichilema presiding ✖️ (still a tension point)
• National mourning runs 15 – 23 June 2025.
Closing note
Both sides ask the nation to stay united and give the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu a respectful farewell. Whether every wish is honoured remains to be seen on the funeral day.
One Zambia, One Nation.
All quoted text is exactly as spoken at the joint briefing.
