Court Halts Lungu’s Burial Amid Bitter Zambia Family-Government Feud

Plans to bury Zambia’s former president Edgar Lungu in a private ceremony in South Africa were abruptly halted by court order, just moments before the funeral was set to begin.

The dramatic turn unfolded in Johannesburg, where mourners had gathered for a mass in his honor. Only after the church service concluded were attendees informed that the burial would not proceed.

The Pretoria High Court intervened following a legal challenge from the Zambian government, which objected to the family's decision to hold a private funeral outside the country. The court ruled that the burial be suspended as both parties reached a temporary agreement. A new court hearing is scheduled for August 4, 2025.

The standoff marks the latest escalation in a longstanding feud between Lungu’s family and the administration of his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. At the heart of the dispute is the question of who controls the legacy of a former head of state — the family or the nation.

Lungu, who died in South Africa at age 68, reportedly expressed a wish that President Hichilema not attend his funeral. Tensions between the two date back to Lungu’s presidency, when Hichilema was jailed for over 100 days on a treason charge.

Although both sides initially agreed to a state funeral in Zambia, talks broke down over the details, prompting the family to plan a burial in South Africa. The government responded by seeking a court injunction, arguing that national interest outweighs personal preference — a stance previously taken during the 2021 burial of Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda.

The Pretoria court has given Zambia’s attorney general until July 4 to file revised arguments supporting Lungu’s repatriation. His family must respond by July 11.

As it stands, the former president’s final resting place remains uncertain, while his legacy continues to stir political and legal tensions — even in death.