After weeks of emotional back-and-forth, legal wrangling, and political debate, the Pretoria High Court has finally put an end to the uncertainty over where former Zambian President Edgar Lungu will be buried.
The court ruled on August 8, 2025, that his body must be returned to Zambia for an official state burial at Embassy Park in Lusaka.
This decision, delivered by Gauteng Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, came down firmly on the side of the Zambian government—overruling the wishes of Lungu’s family, who had hoped for a private funeral in South Africa.
Lungu Passed Away While Undergoing Medical Care in Pretoria
Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s former head of state, died in Pretoria in June 2025 while being treated for an undisclosed illness.
Though the details of his condition were kept private, it’s known that he had previously received medical care for achalasia—a rare disorder affecting the esophagus.
His passing sparked immediate questions about how and where he should be laid to rest, especially given his status as a former president.
Family Pushes Back Against Government Decision
Lungu’s family, led by his widow Esther Lungu, strongly objected to the Zambian government’s plan to repatriate his remains.
Esther told the court that her late husband had specifically requested a quiet burial in South Africa and wanted President Hakainde Hichilema to be excluded from the funeral altogether.
Their legal representative, Makebi Zulu, argued that the government’s claims about Lungu’s wishes were speculative and unsupported by solid evidence.
However, the court was not swayed by this argument.
Court Backs State Over Family Wishes
In siding with the government, the judge emphasized that the burial of former presidents is a matter of national interest.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha stressed this point in court, referring to the example of Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, who was buried at the same national site—Embassy Park.
The government had asked the court for four specific orders, including full control over burial arrangements and the right to repatriate Lungu’s remains.
In the end, the court granted those powers, dismissing the family’s objections.
Mixed Emotions Across Zambia and Beyond
Now that the legal dust has settled, preparations for a state funeral are underway in Lusaka.
However, no official burial date has been announced yet.
The decision has stirred public debate, with some applauding the move as a show of national respect and unity.
Others, however, feel the ruling disregarded the family’s wishes and turned a personal loss into a political spectacle.
A Bigger Question Emerges: Who Gets the Final Say?
This case has raised a broader and more sensitive question—should the burial of former leaders be dictated by state protocol, or should family preferences carry more weight?
In the case of Edgar Lungu, the court clearly favored national protocol over private sentiment.
Whether or not this sets a new precedent for future cases remains to be seen.