Edgar Lungu Poisoning Allegations: Family of Ex-Zambian President Deny claims Amid Legal Battle
The family of ex-Zambian president and poisoning allegations has issued a strong denial of claims that the late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu was poisoned, intensifying a highly publicised dispute over his untimely death and the future of his remains. The controversy comes as legal battles deepen in both South Africa and Zambia, involving criminal probes, subpoenas, and unresolved questions about Lungu’s burial.
Fresh denial on the Edgar Lungu Poisoning Allegations
Lawyers representing the Lungu family have dismissed the Edgar Lungu poisoning allegations as “unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence,” according to correspondence seen by international media. In a letter dated February 11, 2026, Johannesburg-based legal firm Mashele Attorneys confirmed that five subpoenas issued as part of a criminal investigation into alleged poisoning had been complied with, but the family categorically denied any foul play.
The legal representatives stressed that while the family is cooperating with authorities, the suggestion that Lungu was deliberately poisoned is based on speculation rather than established facts. This public statement was made amid an ongoing legal wrangle surrounding custody of Lungu’s remains.
South African police seek custody amid post-mortem plans
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reportedly issued a directive to the funeral home where Lungu’s body has been held, seeking custody for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Officials have described this as a standard procedure when serious allegations arise over a death, though no formal cause has yet been confirmed.
SAPS spokespersons have declined to provide detailed comments, underscoring the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the Lungu family’s lawyers have contested any attempt to release the body while existing High Court orders are still in force.
Edgar Lungu Poisoning Allegations: Burial dispute remains unresolved
The controversy over Lungu’s death is closely intertwined with a prolonged legal dispute over where his remains should be interred. Lungu died in South Africa in June 2025 while undergoing medical treatment, and his body has remained in a mortuary in Pretoria ever since due to competing interests between his family and the Zambian government.
In August 2025, the High Court of South Africa ruled that the government of Zambia could repatriate Lungu’s body and accord him a state funeral, a decision the family has appealed. Two court orders currently direct that custody of the remains remain with Two Mountains Funeral Services pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
That legal stalemate continues, with Zambia’s Supreme Court of Appeal yet to provide a final verdict. The funeral dispute has drawn significant attention in both countries, raising broader debates about state versus family prerogatives in the ceremonial treatment of former heads of state.
Public reaction and political undertones on the Edgar Lungu Poisoning Allegations
Reactions across Zambia and South Africa have ranged from calls for transparency to concerns about political motives. Some observers argue that the timing of the poisoning allegations months after Lungu’s death fuels speculation and conspiracy discourse online and in political circles. Commentators have noted that without transparent forensic evidence, speculation can harm public trust in institutions.
Within Zambia, opposition voices and supporters of Lungu’s former Patriotic Front party have previously suggested that his deteriorating health and eventual death may have involved “external interference,” though no formal proof has surfaced.
Conversely, many Zambians have expressed fatigue over the prolonged legal battle, emphasising the need for closure and respect for the deceased’s dignity. Social media commentary highlights the conflicting national sentiments, with some users urging both sides to resolve the issue swiftly. Although these reactions reflect public emotion, they have not translated into formal political action beyond commentary.
Expert view: Legal process and institutional roles
Legal experts note that the unfolding drama underscores the complex interplay between criminal investigation protocols and civil litigation involving high-profile individuals. South African law mandates police investigations into deaths that might involve foul play, even in politically sensitive cases, while existing court injunctions can limit action until judicial clearance is granted. These overlapping jurisdictions complicate how evidence is gathered and how families and states pursue separate legal strategies.
Meanwhile, analysts remark that clarity through forensic science could offer resolution, yet the politicisation of Lungu’s death and burial suggests that consensus is likely distant without judicial intervention.
What’s next on Edgar Lungu poisoning allegations?
As it stands, the family of ex-Zambian president and poisoning allegations continues to cooperate with law enforcement while firmly rejecting claims of foul play. The legal contest over Lungu’s remains remains unresolved, with appeals and court injunctions shaping the next phase of this high-profile saga.
For now, both legal experts and public observers await further developments from South African courts and police findings that could offer new insights into one of the region’s most controversial post-mortem disputes in recent memory.
