Burial of Zambia's Ex-President in South Africa Halted at Last Minute by Court

A South African court has halted plans to bury former Zambian President Edgar Lungu at a private ceremony just as it was about to start.

The news was only announced to mourners in South Africa after a funeral mass had already finished.

This is the latest twist in a row between the government and Lungu’s family over his burial, after the family opted for a private ceremony in South Africa, rather than a full state funeral at home.

The Zambian government had filed an urgent case in the Pretoria High Court seeking to stop the burial planned by his family.

The court said that the funeral would not go ahead following an “agreement between the parties” however it appears that any funeral won’t happen until August at the earliest.

The dispute follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu’s family saying he had indicated that Hichilema should not attend his funeral.

Following Lungu’s death in South Africa aged 68, the family wanted to be in charge of the funeral arrangements, including the repatriation of his body, but the Zambian authorities sought to take control.

The government and his family later agreed he would have a state funeral before relations broke down over the precise arrangements, prompting the family to opt for a burial in South Africa.

President Hichilema has since argued that Lungu, as a former president, “belongs to the nation of Zambia” and should be buried in the country.

Mourners were only told about the delay after the funeral mass had finished

The Pretoria court gave Zambian attorney general Mulilo D Kabesha until 4 July to submit his “amended notice of motion” in support of Lungu’s repatriation to Zambia. His family has until 11 July to file their opposing papers.

“This matter will be heard as a special motion on the 4th of August 2025,” the court said. The costs of the urgent application will be determined then.

The Zambian government argues that personal wishes should not override the greater public interest, citing the case of founding President Kenneth Kaunda.

In 2021, Kaunda’s family said he wanted to be laid to rest next to his wife and not at the site designated by the government.

However, the government went ahead and buried Kaunda at Embassy Memorial Park in Lusaka.

The current row over Lungu’s burial underscores the tense relationship between him and his successor, which played out in life and continues even in death.

When Lungu was president, Hichilema was locked up for over 100 days on treason charges after Hichilema’s motorcade allegedly refused to give way for him. BBC

Spread the love

What's Hot

Confusion as PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Reinstatement

Ex-Lagos PDP Guber Candidate Celebrates Sanwo-Olu, Gbajabiamila at Birthdays

Equity Market Records N1.19trn Gain, Led by Oando, Dangote Sugar

Burial of Zambia’s Ex-President in South Africa Halted at Last Minute by Court

Mali Seeks Nuclear Power Plant as Junta Leader Signs Trade Deal with Russia

Children Killed in ‘Appalling’ Sudan Hospital Attack – WHO Head

Israel Pledges no Further Attacks on Iran after Trump-Netanyahu Call

UN Condemns Damascus Church Bombing as Death Toll Rises to 25

Confusion as PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Reinstatement

Ex-Lagos PDP Guber Candidate Celebrates Sanwo-Olu, Gbajabiamila at Birthdays

Equity Market Records N1.19trn Gain, Led by Oando, Dangote Sugar

Nasarawa Gov Renames Lafia Flyover Bridge after Tinubu

Confusion as PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Reinstatement

Ex-Lagos PDP Guber Candidate Celebrates Sanwo-Olu, Gbajabiamila at Birthdays

Equity Market Records N1.19trn Gain, Led by Oando, Dangote Sugar

Nasarawa Gov Renames Lafia Flyover Bridge after Tinubu

What's Hot

Burial of Zambia’s Ex-President in South Africa Halted at Last Minute by Court

Related Posts

Subscribe to Updates