The saga surrounding the remains of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has descended into legal chaos. After the Zambian government announced it had taken possession of the body for a state funeral, a South African court abruptly ordered the remains to be returned.
This reversal follows a long-standing and bitter feud between the late leader and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema.
While the Zambian government insists that Lungu be buried in the official presidential grounds in Lusaka, the family has fought for a private burial, citing the former president’s explicit wishes to keep Hichilema away from his funeral. The situation is further complicated by the refusal of Two Mountains Burial Services to continue housing the remains.
The family, represented by spokesman Makebi Zulu, maintains that they have followed proper legal procedures, contradicting government claims that their appeal had lapsed. Lungu, who led the country from 2015 to 2021, died at age 68 in Pretoria, leaving behind a legacy of intense political rivalry that continues to play out even after his death.
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