We blocked ECL from traveling, admits Kabesha
By Mast Reporter
GOVERNMENT has admitted before the High Court of South Africa that it deliberately blocked late former president Edgar Lungu from traveling to South Africa in September, 2023 to seek specialize medical care
.Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha stated that this was because the late president Lungu did not provide the State with particulars of the medical treatment he allegedly had to undergo.
Kabesha said Lungu entered South Africa in January through diplomatic passport as a result of his sickness.
“Finally, I should point out that late President Lungu entered the borders of the Republic of South Africa in January, 2025 through a diplomatic passport and under circumstances where he had been ill from at least 2015,” Kabesha submitted on behalf of government.
He also submitted that government blocked Lungu from attending both the prestigious World Peace Summit in September 2023 and a scheduled church service on September 9, 2023, citing fears that the former head of State was using the platforms for his political come back.
“It is correct that the late former president was prevented from attending the World Peace Summit during September 2023 and a church service on 9 September 2023. This was because according to information available to the Applicant [State] the late President Lungu planned to use these events to further a political agenda.”
Kabesha argued that under Zambian law, specifically the Benefits of Former Presidents Act, Lungu was prohibited from engaging in political activities as a condition for receiving his retirement benefits.
“As a former president and beneficiary in terms of the Benefits Act, the late President Lungu had no right to engage into political activities and for this reason, he was prevented from doing so,” Kabesha said.
