A South African court has ruled that the Zambian government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu for a state funeral, despite strong objections from his family.
Lungu, who served as Zambia’s head of state from 2015 to 2021, died in June in South Africa at the age of 68 after battling an undisclosed illness. His family had sought to bury him privately in South Africa, citing his wishes and strained relations with his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. They alleged Lungu had expressed that Hichilema should not attend his funeral.
However, in a ruling delivered by Judge Aubrey Ledwaba at the Pretoria High Court, the Zambian state was granted the right to take possession of the former leader’s remains. The judge ordered the family to “immediately surrender” the body to Zambian authorities, affirming that the government was entitled to arrange a state funeral for the former president.
The decision left Lungu’s family visibly distraught, with his elder sister, Bertha Lungu, breaking down in tears in court. The family has vowed to appeal “the whole judgment and order,” meaning the body will remain in South Africa until the legal process is concluded.
Zambian Attorney General Mulilo D. Kabesha welcomed the ruling, saying it was not about government victory but about “what makes good sense.” He stressed that as a former head of state, Lungu “belongs to the nation” and should be honored accordingly. Kabesha also described the case as a “learning curve” for those aspiring to hold the presidency, noting that the position carries responsibilities and legacies beyond the immediate family.
The dispute over Lungu’s burial follows a history of political tension between him and President Hichilema. Although the two sides initially agreed on a state funeral, relations soured over the specific arrangements, prompting the family to opt for a South African burial.
The BBC reports that private security has been deployed to protect Lungu’s remains at a Pretoria morgue after several attempts to remove the body without authorization.
Lungu, who lost the 2021 election to Hichilema by a wide margin, had briefly retired from politics before later re-engaging in public life.
