Tensions mount over Edgar Lungu’s burial in South Africa

The Progressive Forces of South Africa (PFSA), an anti-migrant organisation, has warned that allowing the burial of late former Zambian president Edgar Lungu in South Africa could set a dangerous precedent, potentially turning the country into a haven for those fleeing legal accountability.

The matter returned to the High Court in Pretoria today, where the Zambian government and Lungu’s family remain locked in a legal dispute over where the former head of state should be laid to rest.

Lungu passed away in South Africa in early June following a short illness. His family’s decision to bury him on South African soil has ignited a political and legal firestorm, with critics accusing them of avoiding accountability back home.

PFSA secretary Lebogang Shovhote argues that granting Lungu a burial in South Africa sends the wrong message to other foreign leaders, who will want to do the same.

She accused the Lungu family of avoiding accountability in Zambia.

Shovhote said the organisation stands firmly behind the Zambian government’s application to have Lungu returned for burial in his homeland, a move she says would allow Zambians to pay their final respects to their former leader.

PFSA leader Mthetho Ngcukayithobi vowed to continue opposing the burial, framing the matter as a fight over sovereignty and land.

“We will not accept that a foreign president be buried here. Tombs are a symbolic claim to land and we will do whatever it takes to defend ours,” says Ngcukayithobi

Outside the court, tensions ran high as two opposing camps staged demonstrations.

The Human Behaviour Transformation Movement (HBT) led a counter-protest in support of the Lungu family, accusing opponents of dishonouring the late statesman’s dignity.

HBT  movement President Rowllance Mabula called the backlash disgraceful.

The movement’s Felistas Chomba says the demonstrator’s narrative on Lungu is misinformed.

“They don’t really understand what transpired. They don’t know how Mr. Lungu got into the country. He got in as a normal Zambian citizen and not as a head of state. He was not given that privilege. They can’t want him to go back home as a former head of state when he came in as a general member. If they dug deeper and understand the situation, they would not be protesting (toi-toing) here,” says Chomaba.

Supporters of Zambia’s former ruling Patriotic Front (PF), the party once led by Lungu, also gathered outside court, condemning the current Zambian government, the United Party for National Development (UPND), for their handling of the matter.

PF Acting President Given Lubinda accused the UPND of being heartless.

“It’s a government that can subject a widow to mourning for 60 days. A government that can bring a corpse to court. We have now heard from the judges and they listened to the submissions and they have told us that, either tomorrow or Friday, we will know the verdict,” says Lubinda.

Lubinda expressed confidence that the court would rule in favour of the Lungu family, who remain determined to bury their loved one in South Africa.

The High Court is expected to deliver its ruling by Friday.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao