The delayed burial of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has become a complex and contentious issue, drawing in legal proceedings, government statements, and allegations of political manipulation. The circumstances surrounding the custody and funeral arrangements of the former head of state have sparked significant public debate and scrutiny.

According to Mr. Kabesha, the former President’s body was initially held by the South African Police Service as part of an inquest into the circumstances of his death, which commenced on June 5, 2025. When the inquest process concluded and the body's release to the Zambian government became possible, the Lungu family urgently approached the court. They successfully obtained an order that directed the remains to be released directly to them, a process that culminated in the handover to the family on the evening of Thursday, April 23, 2026. Mr. Kabesha affirmed that the government has consistently respected and will continue to respect all court orders as a matter of principle. He further clarified that while the court order addressed custody, the fundamental question of how a former president is to be honorably laid to rest remains a national duty and is not extinguished by a single custody order, emphasizing the republic's enduring obligation to the office Mr. Lungu once held.

However, a contrasting perspective emerged from Mr. Kabwe, who alleged that the government proceeded to remove the late president’s body from the morgue and conduct a postmortem without obtaining the consent of the widow, Esther Lungu, or other family members. Mr. Kabwe condemned this action as unacceptable, accusing authorities of mistreating the bereaved family instead of ensuring a dignified burial for the former head of state. He described the handling of the funeral arrangements as "shameful," reflecting poorly on the country’s leadership. Mr. Kabwe urged Zambians to remain vigilant, uphold national values of respect, dignity, and unity, and to pray for Mrs. Lungu during this challenging period, stressing the importance of leadership that upholds Zambia’s cultural and humanitarian values globally.

Adding another layer of controversy, Thomas Mbewe reported on what he described as a "shocking twist of political opportunism" surrounding the delayed burial. Central to these allegations is Makebi Zulu, the family lawyer and an aspiring presidential candidate, who is accused of exploiting the Lungu family’s grief for his own political ambitions. Sources suggest that Zulu declared his intention to run for President in the August 13, 2026 General Election even before the former President's remains could be interred. This move has been widely criticized by political analysts as "unprecedented and indecent," questioning Zulu’s moral integrity.

Critics point out that Makebi Zulu has refused to relinquish his sensitive dual roles as both family spokesperson and lawyer, allegedly wielding them as tools of influence. An individual of integrity, they argue, would have stepped aside to avoid a clear conflict of interest. Instead, Zulu is accused of deliberately misleading the Lungu family regarding burial arrangements for "political expediency." A family insider claimed, "He is holding onto the body of ECL to win sympathy from the Zambian people ahead of the elections. Every day that passes without burial, Makebi gains a platform to portray himself as a victim."

More disturbing allegations have surfaced, linking Makebi Zulu to his younger brother, Caleb Zulu, a police officer reportedly implicated in the murder of Guntila, the former Director-General of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). Court records and confessions allegedly confirm Caleb Zulu's heavy involvement in the murder. The fact that Caleb Zulu reportedly sees nothing abnormal in Makebi's handling of the former President’s remains has led many to question the entire family’s moral compass, with a legal observer stating, "A man whose own blood brother stands accused of high-level murder has no business lecturing Zambians on leadership."

Furthermore, former First Lady Esther Lungu is also accused of complicity, with allegations suggesting she knows exactly what happened to her husband and is, along with Makebi Zulu, concealing the truth and prolonging the burial delay for self-serving interests rather than those of the Zambian people. The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) faces immense pressure to uphold professional ethics. Makebi Zulu’s simultaneous roles as a lawyer for a grieving family and an aspiring presidential candidate, while allegedly delaying burial for political gain, raise profound questions about his professionalism and ethical conduct. LAZ is urged to investigate whether Zulu has breached the code of conduct, as his dual roles represent a blatant conflict of interest. The public views LAZ’s silence as a tacit endorsement of unprofessional behavior, bringing disrepute to the legal profession.

Makebi Zulu and his alleged Patriotic Front (PF) collaborators, including Richard Musukwa and Jonas Zimba, are believed to have planned to use the late President’s remains as a bargaining chip to pressure the Zambian government. Their strategy reportedly aimed to delay the burial, generate public sympathy, and leverage this sentiment for electoral advantage. However, Zambians are described as a discerning electorate who have seen through the manipulation, recognizing "political chancers" and those who would desecrate a former leader’s dignity for votes. A Matero resident remarked, "They thought we would weep and vote for them. Instead, we are watching them dig their own political graves."

The call to action is clear: Makebi Zulu must surrender the body of Edgar Lungu to the government so that the Zambian people can finally afford their former President a dignified burial. The era of using human remains as political campaign tools, it is argued, must unequivocally end. Zambia is observing, and these actions, it is warned, will be remembered at the ballot box.