Govt Spokesperson Breaks Silence on Claims Edgar Lungu Had a Zimbabwean Passport
Zimbabwe’s government has finally responded to growing speculation that the late former Zambian President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was using a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport at the time of his death in South Africa earlier this month.
The rumours emerged as tensions flared over where and how Lungu should be buried. While the Zambian government insists he must be laid to rest on home soil with full honours, Lungu’s family maintains that the late leader didn’t want current President Hakainde Hichilema anywhere near his funeral.
Amid the dispute, The Zambian Observer reported that Lungu may have travelled under the name “Tendai Munyaradzi” and cited court papers from the Gauteng High Court claiming that no Zambian died at the hospital on June 5—only a Zimbabwean with that name.
That fuelled speculation that Lungu was possibly travelling on a Zimbabwean passport to conceal his identity, prompting calls for the Zimbabwean government to clear the air.
On Tuesday, 1 July 2025, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Information, Nick Mangwana, broke the silence. He firmly denied the rumours, saying Lungu had never held Zimbabwean nationality or a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport.
“We wish to categorically state that the late former Zambian President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, did not hold a Zimbabwean passport or nationality. Any such suggestions are just mischievous falsehoods,” he wrote.
The statement, however, sparked frustration among Zimbabweans online. Many felt the government waited too long to respond, allowing the rumour to gain traction and tarnish the country’s image. Others outright accused Mangwana of issuing a denial without substance or urgency.
Here are some of the reactions:
You all are a bunch of useless place holders in our public offices. This was said out here a week or two ago n you only respond to it now….what were you waiting for? For Zimbabwe’s reputation to be damaged first so you can keep your rakasharing jobs when you come out n pretend… pic.twitter.com/CLaKDyrHIv
— African Pride
: PhD (UniZulu); MEd (Tuks) (@DrAfricanPride_) July 1, 2025
@isaiahk1973:
“Please, next time, respond as early as lies get peddled. Your slow reaction and response damage the image of the country. So many people believed the story. Please respond to matters that affect the image of the country quickly.”
@hotsky_n:
There is nothing factual about what you have just said. The statement itself lacks conviction whatsoever, it’s empty and not thought through, ill-timed, etc.
You are one step away from telling us that the Sky is green pic.twitter.com/yTKUUjH7BU
— bryan (@IkigaiSynergies) July 1, 2025
@siazyaba:
Why did it take u so long to say that? Something is not adding up here.
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