Zambian government wins court battle over Lungu’s burial

 

The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that the late former Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, must be repatriated and buried in Zambia.

The ruling follows a lengthy legal dispute between the Zambian government and the Lungu family, who had sought to bury him in South Africa, where he spent significant time receiving medical treatment and visiting family.

Lungu passed away in a South African hospital in June, shortly before his planned burial. However, the Zambian government successfully halted the burial.

The case sparked public outrage, especially among Zambians and political groups who insisted that a former head of state should be laid to rest on home soil, respecting national protocol and cultural traditions.

Anti-migrant groups in South Africa, including the Progressive Forces of SA, protested outside the Pretoria High Court, warning that allowing Lungu a funeral in South Africa could set a problematic precedent.

Lungu was stripped of his presidential perks and retirement benefits upon his return to active politics in 2023.

The family claims this decision effectively rendered him an ordinary citizen,  and they questioned how the same government could now be trusted to oversee his burial.

Zambian government Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, says today’s judgement was sound and sensible.

He says this case should serve as a learning curve for anyone who wishes to become president one day.

“Those who want to be presidents of countries must know that they are not only restricted to their immediate families, but they are spread over the nation.

“We want to thank the courts for this judgement.”

Kebesha says that despite the family’s visible dissatisfaction with the judgment, they continue to mourn with them.

“It’s normal that people can be emotional when such things happen, but I think it calls for people to cool down when they are mourning.”

He says it’s important that the burial takes place as soon as possible so that everyone can receive the closure they need.

They took everything away from Edgar Lungu when he was alive. Now they want to take his body from the family. The frenzy to get at the corpse, to pursue him even into the grave, is particularly disturbing. They are cruel, these people. pic.twitter.com/gWKLfiSl4m

— Sishuwa Sishuwa (@ssishuwa) August 5, 2025

I agree with judgement Edgar Lungu belongs to the people of Zambia he’s not an ordinary person

— Kakapa Tshepe (@tshepe1985) August 8, 2025

I love it for them, this is what Edgar Lungu subjected the Kaunda family to. Every dog has its day! I love it! https://t.co/r3HT3uWPEI

— DAVID WAMAMBO (MBA Candidate) (@davidwamambo) August 8, 2025

The current debacle surrounding Edgar Lungu has reignited a contemplation I once had about uMsholozi, umbuzo wokuthi uhambo lwakhe lokgcina liyosingathwa kanjani uhulumeni? Whose voices would be elevated in commentary, What political posturing would accompany it?

— Mntwana uLungelo ‘Chwepheshe’ (@LungeloMZulu) August 8, 2025

The family of Edgar Lungu fears for the something similar to what was done by Matanzima to King Sabata Dalindyebo,insisting on giving the late enemy a state funeral,only to humiliate him in death

— Congo is Bleeding,Free Palestine😥🇿🇦🇨🇩🇸🇩 (@ntlok6) August 8, 2025

I get the sense that President Edgar Lungu’s family doesn’t want to go back to Zambia.

— TM (@Themb_Mazi) August 8, 2025