🇿🇲 Zambia Moves to Block Lungu's Burial in South Africa as Presidential Feud Reignites
The drama surrounding Zambia’s late former president Edgar Lungu has taken a stunning new twist — this time, in court.
Just days before Lungu was scheduled to be laid to rest in South Africa, the Zambian government has filed an urgent case in a South African court to stop the burial from going ahead. The legal battle adds fuel to an already smouldering feud between Lungu’s family and President Hakainde Hichilema — a political rivalry that has now crossed into the afterlife.
⚖️ State vs. Family
According to state broadcaster ZNBC, Attorney General Mulilo D Kabesha argues that Lungu, as a former head of state, deserves a state funeral on Zambian soil, complete with military honours — not a private send-off abroad.
But Lungu’s family is holding its ground, insisting that the funeral will proceed as planned in South Africa. They say they have not been formally served with any court papers.
💔 A Legacy Divided
The dispute follows a fraught relationship between Lungu and Hichilema, who endured over 100 days in jail during Lungu’s presidency. The bitterness was so intense that Lungu reportedly asked that Hichilema not attend his funeral — a request that has now triggered a constitutional and emotional dilemma.
Initially, both sides agreed on a state funeral. But disagreements over how it should be handled fractured the fragile peace, prompting the family to take matters into their own hands.
🏛️ A Battle of Precedent
In the court filing, Kabesha referenced Zambia’s founding president Kenneth Kaunda, who was buried in a government-designated site despite family objections. The message is clear: national interest should override personal wishes.
The lawsuit names not just Lungu’s widow Esther and their children, but also the family’s lawyer and the funeral home currently holding the body.
🌍 More Than a Family Matter
This isn’t just about one man’s burial — it’s a reflection of deeper tensions within Zambia’s political fabric. From Mugabe in Zimbabwe to Dos Santos in Angola, disputes over how and where former leaders are buried have become emblematic of unfinished political business.
President Hichilema insists that Lungu “belongs to the nation of Zambia.” But for now, it’s a nation torn between honour, politics, and pain.