PRETORIA– A legal showdown is unfolding in South Africa as the Zambian government attempts to halt the burial of former President Edgar Lungu, whose family has opted for a private ceremony in Johannesburg over a state funeral in Lusaka.
The urgent court case was lodged by Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo D. Kabesha, who argues that Lungu, who died in South Africa aged 68, should be buried in Zambia as a matter of national interest. According to Zambia’s state broadcaster ZNBC, the burial is scheduled for Wednesday, but the government wants it stopped until the matter is resolved.
Lungu’s family, however, insists the funeral will proceed as planned, stating they have not been served with any court documents. At the centre of the dispute is a deep-rooted feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. The family claims Lungu had expressed a wish that Hichilema not attend his funeral, further complicating the situation.
Initial discussions between the family and government had led to an agreement for a state funeral. But tensions flared again over the details, prompting the family to abandon the plan and opt for burial abroad.
Now, the Zambian government is suing Lungu’s widow, former First Lady Esther Lungu, his four children, family lawyer Makebi Zulu, and the South African funeral home in possession of his remains.
Kabesha’s application states that former presidents are national figures and that state funerals, including military honours, are critical to preserving their legacy. He referenced the 2021 burial of founding President Kenneth Kaunda, whose family had objected to the government’s choice of burial site. Despite that, Kaunda was laid to rest at Embassy Memorial Park in Lusaka, the state’s preferred location.
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