ECL Body Move Attempt Angers Family — DAILY NATION
“You are hereby directed to release the body of Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, passport number PP0013831, to State Forensic Pathology Services for DNA and post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death…”
By Daily Nation, Lusaka | February 16, 2026
The family of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has strongly rejected attempts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to remove his remains from the Two Mountains Burial Services morgue for autopsy and DNA testing, following allegations that he may have died of poisoning.
Still grieving, the Lungu family expressed shock at SAPS’s demand that the funeral home surrender the body for forensic examination.
Both the family and Two Mountains Burial Services, which is currently in custody of the remains, have objected to the request, fearing the body may not be returned once released.
The Zambian government reportedly engaged Mr. Sibindi, CEO of private investigations firm Giras Investigation, who has been working with SAPS to probe claims of poisoning.
SAPS has since obtained a subpoena from the South African Magistrate’s Court for the Sub-District of Randburg, directing Mpho Mnisi of Two Mountains Funeral Services to release the body to State Forensic Pathology Services.
The subpoena follows a report by South Africa’s Saturday Star, quoting Zambian politician Brian Mundubile, who suggested that President Lungu’s death may not have been natural. The subpoena reads:
“You are hereby directed to release the body of Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, passport number PP0013831, to State Forensic Pathology Services for DNA and post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death, as it is alleged, he died of poisoning. The body will be returned to Two Mountains immediately after the procedure.”
However, former First Lady Esther Lungu, the children, and other family members—who have been sued by the Zambian government—have responded through their legal representatives, Mashele Attorneys.
“Our office has complied with five subpoenas issued in connection with the criminal investigation concerning the alleged poisoning of the late President Lungu. Statements requested from our clients have been duly delivered,” the firm stated.
“Our clients deny the allegations, which they maintain are unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence.”
The legal team further cited two binding High Court orders that direct the body remain with Two Mountains pending final legal proceedings. They noted that leave to appeal has been granted by the Supreme Court of Appeal, meaning the orders remain in force.
“In the absence of a judicial variation or further order authorizing removal, no person or entity is legally permitted to act inconsistently with those directives,” the lawyers warned, adding that any contrary action would be unlawful.
Edward Nathan Sonnenberg Inc., representing Two Mountains Burial Services, confirmed receipt of the February 4 subpoena but emphasized that their client is bound by existing court orders.
“Two Mountains Burial is ordered at the cost of the Applicant, to retain and preserve the body of the late President unless otherwise authorized by the Court,” the High Court ruled.
“Only the First to Seventh Respondents are permitted to visit and inspect the body.”
The family has called for a peaceful, issue-based resolution to the matter.
The burial of the sixth President of Zambia which was supposed to occur in Johannesburg, South Africa was curtailed after the Attorney General of Zambia took out a court action restraining the family from putting him to rest there.
The former sixth president of Zambia remains frozen in South Africa since his death on 5 June eight months ago.
Source: The Daily Nation.
ECL Body Move Attempt Angers Family
