As published by Kalumbu Lumpa in African Times
Zambia’s sixth president, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has passed away in a South African hospital, according to a statement by his daughter Tasila Lungu.
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The former President died at 06:00 hours on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Medforum Clinic in Pretoria, South Africa.
Lungu, who served as Zambia’s president from January 2015 to August 2021, was a prominent figure in Zambian politics, leading the Patriotic Front (PF) and later the Tonse Alliance as its chairperson.
His death comes amid recent speculation about his health, with unconfirmed reports suggesting he was receiving routine medical checkups, though earlier government claims of chemotherapy treatment were dismissed by the Tonse Alliance as “political propaganda.”
Lungu’s political career was marked by his rise from a lawyer to a key figure in the Patriotic Front, serving as Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence under President Michael Sata before assuming the presidency following Sata’s death in 2014.
He won a closely contested presidential by-election in January 2015 and a full term in August 2016, narrowly defeating opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.
His tenure was characterised by significant infrastructure development, but also faced criticism over allegations of corruption.
The news of Lungu’s death has sent shockwaves through Zambia’s political landscape, with tributes and condolences pouring in from across the country.
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The Tonse Alliance, which Lungu led, had been positioning itself as a formidable challenger to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) ahead of the 2026 elections.
His passing raises questions about the future of the alliance and the opposition’s strategy.
The Zambian government has yet to issue an official statement, and details regarding Lungu’s cause of death remain unconfirmed.
Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, are abuzz with reactions, with many Zambians expressing grief and others speculating on the political implications of his death.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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