Natalie Nyathi
A diplomatic crisis has developed between Zambia and Zimbabwe over allegations of identity fraud and misconduct related to the late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.
Intelligence sources claim that Lungu obtained a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport under a false identity, with help from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This has led Zambia to accuse Zimbabwe of violating its sovereignty.
The fraudulent passport reportedly allowed Lungu to evade Zambian intelligence while raising funds for his political party, the Patriotic Front (PF), ahead of the 2026 elections. Dr. Tinashe Chikowore, an international law expert, stated that this represents a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Lungu’s death during a medical procedure in South Africa under this alias has complicated matters. South African authorities cannot release his body or issue a death certificate due to the lack of verifiable identity, pending DNA confirmation.
Recent activities by Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who visited Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, have raised concerns. Reports suggest Chiwenga pressured Zambia to suppress evidence related to Zimbabwe’s involvement. A Zambian foreign ministry official indicated that Chiwenga’s visit was more about damage control than condolences.
Despite criticism from opposition groups and media, President Hichilema has chosen to remain calm, stating that Zambia will pursue justice through legal means rather than engage in a propaganda war.
The PF has taken advantage of the situation, with spokespersons Emmanuel Mwamba and Makebi Zulu accused of spreading false claims and inciting unrest. Media analyst Grace Nyoni pointed out that they are pushing narratives suggesting that Hichilema was responsible for Lungu’s death, diverting attention from the passport issue.
Meanwhile, a Pretoria High Court has temporarily stopped plans for Lungu’s burial in South Africa. The Zambian government successfully argued that Lungu, as a former head of state, “belongs to the nation,” leading to a court hearing scheduled for August 4 regarding the repatriation of his remains.
The scandal has drawn strong reactions from regional organizations. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has started investigating Zimbabwe’s passport issuance, while the African Union has warned of serious consequences for violations of sovereignty. Zambia is also considering sanctions against involved Zimbabwean officials.
Political historian Dr. Simba Moyo highlighted the background of the rivalry, noting that Lungu previously jailed Hichilema for 127 days in 2017 over a motorcade incident, indicating that their conflict runs deep.
Key questions remain, such as why Zimbabwe would risk diplomatic fallout to protect Lungu, who authorized the passport, and whether DNA testing will confirm the identity of the body before the court hearing.
Zambia’s Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji stated that once DNA results verify the identity, they will reveal all details related to the scheme. Legal experts are calling for prosecutions under Zambia’s Cyber Security Act for those spreading disinformation. For many Zambians, this scandal reflects a loss of trust in public institutions, with Lusaka teacher Ellen Banda expressing concern about ongoing issues of integrity.