FILE: Zambian former President Edgar Lungu speaking at a high-profile United Nations General Assembly event in New York during his tenure as president.

Ruthless former president Edgar Lungu dies aged 68

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has reportedly died in South Africa at the age of 68, according to official sources.

LUSAKA – Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has reportedly died in South Africa at the age of 68, according to official sources.

According to information at hand, the former President was this morning (Thursday) attended to at an unnamed hospital for a routine review but later developed chest complications.

More details to follow as we await official confirmation from both the family and the state.

Lungu has a mixed history tainted by power abuse and corruption during his reign in the copper-rich country.

FILE: Zambian former President Edgar Lungu speaking at a high-profile event in the copper rich nation recently.

His abuse saw opposition figures such as Chishimba Kambwili and now President Hakainde Hichilema endure occasional persecution from the state apparatus.

Lungu was pushed out of power in 2021 through elections which saw then opposition leader and sworn rival Hichilema win the elections by a landslide even after rigging attempts.