Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, the lawyer representing the late former president Edgar Lungu’s family says he (Lungu) returned to active politics out of bitterness.
He says there was bad blood between Lungu and the President Hakainde Hichilema government, which is why Lungu came out of retirement from active politics.
The lawyer said Lungu told Dr. Shishuwa Shishuwa and his wife that he would not want the Government anywhere near his body if he died, due to the way he was treated — Family lawyer Thembeka Ngcukaitobi.
He adds that the Lungu family does not want a state funeral but insists on a private funeral.
He made these remarks during the court hearing which is currently underway at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The Lungu family is challenging a Pretoria High Court judgment handed down in August 2025, which ruled that Zambia is entitled to repatriate Lungu’s remains for a state funeral and burial.
The same judgment ordered the Two Mountain Mortuary to surrender the remains to representatives of the Zambian High Commission for repatriation.
Lungu died on 5 June last year while in South Africa for medical treatment.
More details to follow…