Claim
On 2 June 2026, a Facebook page called Lily Mutamz TV published a post alleging that President Hakainde Hichilema was refusing to release the body of the late Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV to the Ngoni Royal Establishment for funeral arrangements and burial proceedings.
The post further claimed that the alleged withholding of the body had angered traditional leaders and residents of Eastern Province.
The claim gained traction on social media, with some users expressing concern over what was portrayed as a dispute between government authorities and the late traditional leader’s family.
Verdict: False
iVerify Zambia has established that the claim alleging that President Hakainde Hichilema was withholding the body of Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV is false.
No official statement from the Ngoni Royal Establishment, government authorities, or any credible media organisation supports the allegation. Furthermore, the claim was published without citing any verifiable source or evidence.
Available evidence shows that the Ngoni Royal Establishment issued official communication regarding funeral arrangements and identified authorised spokespersons responsible for providing updates to the public. There was no mention of any dispute concerning the release of the body.
Fact-Checking Process
To verify the claim, iVerify Zambia undertook the following steps:
- Reviewed the original social media post published by the Lily Mutamz TV Facebook page to identify the specific allegation and determine whether any evidence or sources were provided in support of the claim.
- Conducted media monitoring across mainstream, online, and broadcast media outlets to establish whether any credible news organisation had reported that President Hakainde Hichilema or any government institution had refused to release the body of the late Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV.
- Examined official communications issued by the Ngoni Royal Establishment regarding funeral arrangements and public information management following the passing of Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV.
- Verified authorised sources of information by reviewing directives from the Ngoni Royal Establishment identifying individuals authorised to communicate on matters relating to the funeral and burial arrangements.
- Reviewed subsequent developments and funeral coverage to establish any evidence of government interference or delays in its release.
Rating Justification
To verify the claim, iVerify Zambia reviewed reports from mainstream media outlets, online news platforms, and official communications issued by the Ngoni Royal Establishment.
The review found no evidence that the President or any government institution had refused to release the body of the late Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV. None of the media outlets monitored reported such an incident.
In contrast, the Ngoni Royal Establishment publicly cautioned against unauthorised individuals issuing statements concerning the funeral. The Establishment designated Senior Chief Nzamane as the sole authorised spokesperson and urged members of the public to disregard unofficial information regarding funeral arrangements.
Additionally, reports by multiple media organisations confirmed that on 4 June 2026, the body of Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV was transported to Feni in Chipata District for burial preparations. These reports contained no indication that the body had been withheld, delayed, or blocked from being released by government authorities.
The absence of evidence supporting the allegation, coupled with the successful repatriation of the body for burial rites, directly contradicts the claim circulated on social media.
Conclusion
The allegation published by Lily Mutamz TV and circulated by other social media accounts that President Hakainde Hichilema refused to release the body of Inkosi Yamakhosi Mpezeni IV is false.
The claim was unsupported by evidence, contradicted by official communications from the Ngoni Royal Establishment, and inconsistent with subsequent events demonstrating that the body was released and transported to its final resting place.
Claims involving respected traditional leaders and senior public officials can easily inflame public emotions, deepen mistrust, and create unnecessary tension, particularly during periods of national mourning and heightened political activity. This fact-check highlights the importance of relying on verified information from authorised sources and credible media outlets before sharing or acting on sensational claims.
Evidence
- Ngoni Royal Establishment funeral directive and spokesperson guidance:
- Video coverage showing the repatriation of the body to Eastern Province:
