Ndiho Media,LLC.

By Ndiho Media

A family spokesman for Zambia’s late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has dropped a political bombshell—claiming the former leader left instructions that President Hakainde Hichilema “should not be anywhere near” his body. This stark revelation deepens the already tense standoff between Lungu’s family, his party (the Patriotic Front), and the current Zambian government over funeral arrangements.

Lungu, who died last week in South Africa at the age of 68, was a fierce political rival of Hichilema. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, with Hichilema finally unseating Lungu in 2021 after losing five previous presidential bids.

The government had planned to fly Lungu’s body back to Zambia on Wednesday. Still, the move was derailed by the ongoing feud with his family and party over how the funeral should be conducted—and who should be involved.

For context, the political animosity runs deep. In 2017, Hichilema was dramatically arrested on treason charges after allegedly blocking Lungu’s motorcade. I witnessed this political tension firsthand—while on assignment for VOA with the late Shaka Ssali, we met with Hichilema on August 17th, just a day after his release from prison. In that meeting, Hichilema directly accused Lungu of orchestrating his arrest.

The feud that once played out in courtrooms and campaigns has now followed both men beyond politics—and into death.