SCA clears way for Edgar Lungu burial in South Africa

The family of former Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, has succeeded in its bid to have him buried in South Africa.

This comes after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) set aside a High Court ruling that had authorised the Zambian government to repatriate Lungu’s remains for burial in his home country.

Lungu died at a hospital in South Africa in June last year. His remains have been in a mortuary for more than a year as his family and the Zambian government have been locked in a court battle over his final resting place.

His family maintains that it was Lungu’s wish to be buried in South African.

The Zambian government argued that, as a former president, Lungu was entitled to a state funeral and burial in Zambia. His family, however, maintained that his personal wishes should take precedence.

Former First Lady, Esther Lungu, argued that the state should not determine the burial arrangements, claiming her husband’s dying wish was to prevent his political rival, President Hakainde Hichilema, from presiding over his funeral.

Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, after assuming office following the death of President Michael Sata.

Organisations such as the Progressive Forces of South Africa (PFSA) previously accused the Lungu family of evading accountability in Zambia.

The group warned that allowing the burial of the late former Zambian president in South Africa could set a dangerous precedent, potentially turning the country into a haven for those fleeing legal accountability.

Enough is enough.
The Lungu family has effectively turned South Africa’s courts into a tennis court, with every ruling being challenged and every outcome becoming another round in a dispute that should have been concluded long ago. South Africans are watching as valuable court… pic.twitter.com/B41RqSksr1

— Miss Ziprusha (@destinyzee) June 23, 2026

South Africa’s courts were never intended to become a playground for endless legal manoeuvres surrounding the burial of a foreign former Head of State. Yet that is precisely what has happened.

For more than a year, the Edgar Lungu matter has occupied the attention of our… pic.twitter.com/k276WklYGf

— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) June 23, 2026

President Edgar Lungu. May you finally rest in peace. But, knowing the trend, there shall, in all probability be an application for leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court. #BREAKINGNEWS #PRESIDENTLUNGU #SCA https://t.co/9y0kBVTaJp

— Brenda Wardle (@BrendaWardle) June 23, 2026

The Edgar Lungu matter has unfortunately turned South Africa’s courts into a tennis court for a dispute that should never have consumed this much judicial time and public attention. For more than a year, South African courts have been occupied with a matter that belongs primarily… pic.twitter.com/XHB7k0NkmA

— Abahambe Majola🇿🇦🇷🇺 (@LadyAbahambe) June 23, 2026