Keypoints:
- Hichilema dismisses witchcraft rumours in Lungu’s death
- Apologises for row over state funeral plans
- Pledges full military honours for late leader
ZAMBIA’S President Hakainde Hichilema has sharply dismissed rumours linking him to witchcraft in the death of his predecessor and rival Edgar Lungu, calling the claims ‘regrettable’ and insisting the late leader deserves a dignified farewell.
Lungu, who died in a South African hospital on June 5 after an undisclosed illness, has been at the centre of a tense dispute between his family and the government over burial arrangements.
Court clears way for state funeral
Earlier this month, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ordered Lungu’s relatives to surrender his body to Zambian authorities for repatriation. The ruling cleared the path for a state funeral in Lusaka, which Hichilema is expected to preside over.
The confrontation has pitted Lungu’s widow and children against the state, with the family resisting official burial plans and accusing the government of political persecution.
‘Sorry for exposing family and nation’
Speaking on Martine Dennis’s Africa Here and Now podcast, Hichilema apologised for the fallout.
‘We are sorry about exposing the family, the country, the region, the world to this unfortunate situation,’ he said.
Despite their long-standing rivalry—Hichilema defeated Lungu in the 2021 elections—he stressed that his government intended only to ensure the late leader received the same honours as his predecessors.
Patriotic Front fuels witchcraft talk
Lungu’s Patriotic Front party has alleged sinister motives, claiming the government wanted to use the body for witchcraft.
Hichilema rejected the accusation outright. ‘Personally I don’t believe in witchcraft, never believed in witchcraft, as a person, as a family, as a Christian. That now such a subject can take a centre stage is regrettable,’ he said.
‘Let’s focus on the work at hand. Let’s bury our sixth president with military honours as the five before him were buried. There is no malice, there should be no issue of witchcraft.’
Assurances to Lungu’s family
Tensions extend beyond the funeral. Lungu’s widow and children face corruption charges, which they say are politically motivated.
Hichilema said his administration was mindful of the family’s feelings but urged that disputes be addressed after the burial.
‘We are also conscious of the feelings of the family, the concerns that they have. A number of those can be dealt with after an honourable burial and we are available to do that,’ he said.
The state funeral is expected to draw regional leaders, marking a final tribute to Zambia’s sixth president.
