Governance activist Wesley Miyanda has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to publicly declare that he will not attend the funeral of late former President Edgar Lungu, but instead delegate Vice President Mutale Nalumango to represent him as a way to end the ongoing burial impasse.
Speaking in an interview with Sun FM TV News, Mr. Miyanda said Zambians are tired of the prolonged standoff and continued appeals surrounding the burial of the former head of state.
He noted that there would be no harm in President Hichilema respecting the Lungu family’s wish for him to stay away from the funeral proceedings if it helps bring closure to the matter.
Mr. Miyanda stressed that this is not a question of winning or losing, as President Hichilema has already shown commitment to ensuring a dignified send-off for the late Mr. Lungu in Zambia.
He further expressed concern that the funeral has been marred by politics, accusing some individuals of attempting to use the late president’s death for political mileage.
His remarks follow comments by family spokesperson and presidential aspirant Makebi Zulu, who announced that the Lungu family is ready to return the former president’s body for burial in Zambia once President Hichilema agrees not to attend the funeral personally, but to send the Vice President as his representative.
Mr. Lungu died on 5th June 2025 but has not yet been buried due to a standoff between government and the family over his final resting place.