Zambia’s former president Lungu’s funeral is halted by a South African court amid a tug-of-war between the government and his family

Edgar Lungu’s funeral has been postponed by a South African court due to disagreements between Zambia and his family regarding repatriation arrangements.

Following a dramatic last-minute legal intervention by the Zambian government, a South African court has halted the planned burial of Edgar Lungu, the late former president of Zambia. Moments before the burial was scheduled to start at a private ceremony in South Africa, it was canceled; mourners were only informed of the cancellation after a funeral mass had already taken place.

This is the most recent development in a bitter and intensely personal conflict between the Zambian government and Lungu’s family. The family arranged a private burial outside of Zambia, keeping the government at a distance, in accordance with what they claim were Lungu’s wishes. The Zambian government, however, resisted and filed an urgent application in the Pretoria High Court to halt the funeral and return the remains of the former president.

The court indicated that a final resolution would not be reached until August, even though it decided that the burial should not go forward based on an agreement between the parties. In particular, the case has been set for hearing on August 4, 2025, as a special motion. Mulilo D. Kabesha, the attorney general of Zambia, has been given until July 4 to submit an updated motion in support of repatriation; Lungu’s family has until July 11 to reply.

The conflict has exposed the long-standing hostility between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. This rivalry shaped a large portion of their political careers and now clouds the late president’s passing. Citing Lungu’s request that President Hichilema not attend his funeral, his family stated their intention to oversee all funeral planning, including repatriation, after he passed away in South Africa at the age of 68.

Although a state funeral in Zambia had been initially agreed upon by both parties, disagreements over the specifics quickly resurfaced, leading the family to arrange a private burial overseas. But according to President Hichilema, Lungu “belongs to the nation of Zambia” and ought to be buried in his native country with the full respect that a former head of state is entitled to.

The burial of Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president, has also been compared by the government. The government buried him in the state-designated Embassy Memorial Park in Lusaka in 2021, despite his family’s request that he be buried next to his wife. At the time, they made the argument that the public interest must come first.

The tense legacy of Lungu’s presidency and the continued hostility between Zambia’s current and former leaders are reflected in the unresolved disagreement over his final resting place. A notable instance of their acrimonious rivalry occurred during Lungu’s tenure in office when Hichilema was arrested and held for more than 100 days on treason charges after a motorcade incident.

One thing is certain as the legal dispute rages on: Edgar Lungu is still at the center of Zambia’s political currents despite his passing.