Event Summary
On 2 March 2026, Zambian police arrested Fred M’membe, president of the Socialist Party Zambia, following remarks he made regarding the delayed burial of former President Edgar Lungu. The arrest occurred after Dr. M’membe appeared on Kwithu FM radio and later spoke to journalists about the prolonged delay in burying the former head of state. During his remarks, he alleged that President Hakainde Hichilema had effectively “imprisoned the body” of the late president and questioned why burial arrangements had not been concluded months after his death. He further made controversial remarks suggesting that the government was intentionally preventing the burial.
Following these statements, the Zambia Police Service detained Dr. M’membe in Lusaka and charged him with Prohibition of Harassment and Humiliation under Section 22(2)(a)(b) of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025. He was being held at Chilenje Police Station awaiting court proceedings, until 4 March 2026 when he was released on police bond. The arrest occurred in the context of a prolonged national controversy over the burial of former President Lungu, whose remains have remained in South Africa for months due to legal disputes between the government and the family regarding burial arrangements and state funeral protocol.