By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The family of the late Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has confirmed that the former head of state will be laid to rest in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a statement issued earlier today, the family expressed deep appreciation for the support received from across Africa and commended the South African government for its non-interference and respect for their decision.
“We wish to announce that the funeral and burial of our beloved Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu will take place here in South Africa, in accordance with the family’s wishes for a private ceremony.
This period has been deeply emotional for the family, and we are grateful for the overwhelming support and condolences extended to the family from across the continent and the globe.”
In his address on Thursday evening, President Hakainde Hichilema announced an immediate end to the mourning period, saying the country needed to “resume normal life”.
“The government has done everything possible to engage with the family of our departed sixth president,” said Hichilema.
The national mourning period initially ran from 8 to 14 June but was later extended until 23 June, with flags flying at half-mast and radio stations playing solemn music.
The extension followed a meeting between government officials and Lungu’s family in an attempt to resolve the deadlock over his funeral programme.
Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died earlier this month in South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
After six years as head of state, Lungu lost the 2021 election to Hichilema by a large margin. He stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray.
He had ambitions to vie for the presidency again but at the end of last year the Constitutional Court barred him from running, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.