Zambia Pushes for State Funeral; Court Halts Lungu’s Burial in SA
Published on June 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
The Zambian government obtained a court order in South Africa to stop the private burial of former President Edgar Lungu on the day it was scheduled to take place.
Lungu’s family was forced to leave the funeral service and attend a courtroom hearing in Pretoria, still dressed in black funeral attire.
The Pretoria High Court ruled that the burial would be delayed until a case regarding the location of the funeral is resolved, with another hearing set for August 4.
This legal challenge is the latest in a month-long dispute between Lungu’s family and the Zambian government over his funeral arrangements.
The government wants Lungu to receive a state funeral in Zambia, but his family refuses, citing his long-standing feud with current President Hakainde Hichilema.
Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died in a South African hospital on June 5 at the age of 68.
His family claims he left instructions barring Hichilema from attending his funeral, while the government insists a state funeral must be held with Hichilema presiding.
Zambia’s Attorney General filed an urgent court application demanding Lungu be buried with full military honours, as required by law.
A memorial service was held in Johannesburg, but the burial was halted pending a final court ruling.
