Holding the dead body of a President in Zambia would be a serious crime, even without considering any political motivations. While there isn’t a specific law titled “holding the President’s dead body,” several Zambian laws would likely apply, making the act illegal and subject to severe penalties.
Here’s a breakdown of the relevant legal frameworks:
Public Health and Inquests Acts: Zambian law, particularly the Inquests Act and the Public Health Act, establishes strict procedures for handling and disposing of a dead body. When a person dies, there is a legal duty to notify a coroner, police officer, or other specified official, especially if the cause of death is unnatural, unknown, or suspicious. Failing to do so or “holding” the body to prevent an investigation would be a crime. Given the high-profile nature of a President’s death, an inquest would be highly likely, making the unauthorized holding of the body (HOSTAGE) as a serious obstruction of justice.
Concealment of a Human Corpse: While the Penal Code may not explicitly use this term, the act of “holding” a body can be seen as concealing it. If the intent is to hide the body to prevent a proper post-mortem examination, hinder a police investigation, or tamper with evidence, it would fall under various criminal offenses related to obstructing justice or perverting the course of justice. 
State Protocol and Public Interest:
The death of a sitting or former President is a matter of national significance. The government would have a vested interest in the proper handling of the body and the organization of a state funeral like it now shall be .
Any unauthorized “holding” of the body would be seen as a direct challenge to State Authority (BOMA NI BOMA) and National protocol. As a South African court recently ruled in a case concerning a deceased Zambian ex-president ECL, the State’s interest in a State Funeral for a person of national significance can override the wishes of the family and those of the TONSE ALLIANCE .
In summary, holding the dead body of a Zambian President would likely be a crime under the country’s laws, not because of a specific “Presidential body” law, but due to a combination of laws concerning public health, the handling of human remains, obstruction of justice, and national security.
The act would be treated with the utmost seriousness, and the perpetrators would face severe legal consequences there after yayayayaya kaya the boat under water .
