NEWS & POLITICS
South African court approves return of Edgar Lungu’s remains to Zambia despite family objections
South Africa’s Pretoria High Court has ruled in favor of the Zambian government in its bid to repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu, despite objections from his family. Lungu, who died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, was initially set to be buried privately there at the request of his relatives.
Noluthando Buthelezi
Zambia argued that the former leader “belongs to the nation” and should be granted a state funeral. The dispute is rooted in Lungu’s long-standing rivalry with his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. Their bitter feud included police raids against each other’s camps, Lungu’s arrest of Hichilema over a convoy standoff, and later, Hichilema’s government revoking Lungu’s retirement benefits after accusing him of illegally returning to politics.
According to his family, Lungu left strict instructions that Hichilema should not attend his burial. Judge Aubrey Ledwaba acknowledged the claim but ruled that the Zambian government has the right to repatriate his remains, ordering the family to surrender the body immediately.
In tears after the ruling, Bertha Lungu, the former president’s elder sister, announced plans to appeal. Until the appeal date, his body will remain in Pretoria.
Welcoming the judgment, Zambian Attorney General Mulilo D. Kebesha said it was not a victory for the government but rather “what makes good sense.” The BBC reported that Lungu’s remains are being held in a Pretoria morgue under private security to prevent unauthorized removal.
Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 until 2021, when he lost to opposition leader Hichilema by more than a million votes. He died at the age of 68 after an undisclosed illness.
