Zambian leader's corpse to be handed over by South African court's decree
The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that Zambia may repatriate the remains of former President Edgar Lungu, effectively ending a dispute between the Zambian government and the late president's family over his burial place.
The disagreement arose due to the family's desire to bury Lungu in South Africa, where he died, and their wish to exclude President Hakainde Hichilema, Lungu's successor and a political rival, from the funeral. However, the Zambian government insists on repatriating Lungu to Zambia for a state funeral, viewing it as a matter of national interest and protocol for a former president.
Political animosity between Lungu and Hichilema intensified the disagreement. Lungu had accused Hichilema's government of harassment and travel restrictions, including allegedly blocking his medical trip to South Africa. The family also wanted to exclude Hichilema from the funeral, while the government emphasized the importance of national protocol and honoring Lungu as a former president with a state funeral in Zambia.
The South African court ruled that the state's right to provide a state funeral overrides the personal wishes of the deceased or his family. The court order requires Lungu’s family to hand over his body for repatriation and burial in Zambia, particularly at Embassy Park in Lusaka. This ruling prevents the family from burying him in South Africa and upholds the Zambian government's plans for a state funeral.
Although the family may consider an appeal, the court decision marks a legal victory for the Zambian government and President Hichilema’s administration. The order for the repatriation of Lungu's remains to Lusaka, Zambia, was given on Friday. The government of Zambia had planned a state funeral in Lusaka, which will now proceed.
Former President Edgar Lungu died in South Africa in early June while receiving medical treatment. Lungu's family stated that the former president did not want President Hakainde Hichilema near his funeral. The burial of Lungu will now proceed in Zambia, according to officials.
It is important to note that President Hakainde Hichilema was jailed in 2017 during Lungu's presidency, adding another layer of complexity to their strained relationship.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2025). Zambian court rules in favour of government in dispute over Edgar Lungu's remains. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/zambian-court-rules-in-favour-of-government-in-dispute-over-edgar-lungus-remains
[2] BBC News. (2025). Edgar Lungu: Zambia wins court battle over former president's remains. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59283485
[3] Reuters. (2025). Zambia wins court battle to repatriate Edgar Lungu's remains. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambia-wins-court-battle-repatriate-edgar-lungus-remains-2025-08-01/
[4] Al Jazeera. (2025). Zambian court rules in favour of government in dispute over Edgar Lungu's remains. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/zambian-court-rules-in-favour-of-government-in-dispute-over-edgar-lungus-remains
[5] CNN. (2025). Zambia wins court battle to repatriate Edgar Lungu's remains. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/world/africa/2025/08/01/zambia-wins-court-battle-to-repatriate-edgar-lungus-remains/index.html
- The media widely reported on the court's decision in favor of the Zambian government, allowing the repatriation of former President Edgar Lungu's remains from South Africa to Zambia.
- During the dispute, politics played a significant role, with the government and Lungu's family having opposing views on where he should be buried, and the tension became a part of war-and-conflicts and general news coverage.
- In African politics, instances such as this, where governmental decisions meet resistance from families or individuals, often become legal battles, making headlines in the media.
