A South African court has ordered the repatriation of the body of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, siding with the Zambian government against the wishes of his family who wanted him buried in South Africa.
Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, passed away on June 5 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa. Initial plans were made for a private funeral to be held in Johannesburg on June 25. However, these plans were abruptly halted just hours before the ceremony by a ruling from the Pretoria High Court.
The government of Zambia approached the South African court, asserting that Lungu should receive a state funeral and be buried in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. They argued that it was tradition for all former presidents since independence from Britain in 1964 to be laid to rest in designated sites within Lusaka reserved for national leaders. According to the government, this practice not only honors the deceased but also serves as a symbol of national unity and respect for the country’s leadership heritage.
Lungu’s family, however, strongly opposed the government’s position. They insisted that the former president’s final resting place should be in South Africa, where he died. The family cited Edgar Lungu’s personal wish to avoid having the current President, Hakainde Hichilema—his longstanding political rival and successor—attend the funeral. This difference in opinion sparked a deeply emotional and complex legal dispute that reflected the underlying political tensions in Zambia.
South African Court Mandates Repatriation of Late Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s Remains
On August 8, a judge in the Pretoria High Court delivered a decisive ruling: Edgar Lungu’s body must be handed over to a representative of the Zambian judiciary for repatriation to Zambia. This judgment effectively ended the family’s efforts to keep the burial in South Africa and underscored the authority of national protocols over personal preferences in such matters.
The courtroom was charged with emotion as the ruling was read. Bertha Lungu, Edgar Lungu’s sister, was visibly moved and seen shedding tears, highlighting the personal toll of the legal battle for the family. Meanwhile, Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, who was present in court, expressed gratitude for the ruling and reiterated the government’s dedication to honoring Lungu with the full state funeral befitting a former head of state.
The legal dispute has shone a spotlight on the often difficult balance between respecting family wishes and upholding state customs, especially when these issues are entangled with ongoing political rivalries. The tension between the family and the government not only reflects their differing views on how Lungu should be memorialized but also underscores the larger political dynamics at play within Zambia.
Edgar Lungu’s death marks the close of a significant era in Zambia’s political landscape. His presidency was characterized by both accomplishments and controversies, leaving a mixed legacy that continues to be debated within the country. His passing has had a profound emotional impact on many Zambians, making the upcoming state funeral an important occasion for national reflection.
The court’s ruling now paves the way for Edgar Lungu to be accorded official state honors and buried according to national tradition in Lusaka. This decision will allow Zambia to unify in commemorating a former president, bringing together government officials, political allies, and citizens in a collective farewell.
Beyond this particular case, the ruling also sets a judicial precedent for handling disputes over the funerals of prominent political figures in the future. It highlights the role of the courts in navigating sensitive matters where personal, familial, and national interests intersect, emphasizing the importance of upholding national protocols while considering private concerns.
As Zambia prepares for the repatriation of Edgar Lungu’s remains and the planned state funeral, the nation faces the delicate task of honoring his legacy amid ongoing political sensitivities. The event will serve both as a tribute to his contributions and a reminder of the complexities that arise when politics and family dynamics collide in the public sphere.
