*Natalie Nyathi*
The Pretoria High Court has stepped in to stop the private funeral service for former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, just as it was about to start. This decision highlights the ongoing conflict between Lungu’s family and the Zambian government over where he should be buried.
Lungu died on June 5, 2025, at the age of 68 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa. His family wanted to hold a private burial there rather than have a state funeral in Zambia, where he had a difficult relationship with President Hakainde Hichilema.
They believed a private ceremony would better honor Lungu’s memory without the political tensions of a state event.Tensions rose when the Zambian government tried to take control of the funeral arrangements, leading to a standoff with Lungu’s family.
Reports indicated that some family members struggled to travel from Zambia to South Africa for the memorial service, which raised concerns about government interference. The family felt sidelined and believed the government’s actions showed a lack of respect for Lungu’s legacy.On Wednesday, the attorney-general of Zambia filed an urgent request to the court to stop the burial.
The court’s decision came as family members gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, where the service was set to take place.Deputy Judge President Aubrey Phago Ledwaba ruled that the funeral would be put on hold until the legal issues are resolved. Family lawyer Neo Mashele said, “The Lungu family will not proceed with the funeral today.
We think it’s important to wait for a proper legal resolution before moving ahead.”The court has ordered the Zambian government to submit an amended notice and additional documents about the repatriation of Lungu’s body by July 4, 2025.
The Lungu family must file their responses by July 11, 2025. The case is scheduled to be heard on August 4, 2025, delaying the funeral for more than a month.Despite these legal challenges, the court has allowed Lungu’s family to visit his body at the mortuary while the situation unfolds. The future of Edgar Lungu’s burial is still uncertain, as both the family and the government prepare to present their cases in court. This ongoing situation reflects the complexities of personal loss and political issues surrounding the former president’s legacy.