Zambian Ex-President Edgar Lungu to Be Buried in South Africa After Funeral Dispute

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu will be laid to rest in South Africa, following a highly publicized and contentious dispute between his family and the Zambian government over the arrangements for his funeral.

Lungu, who died earlier this month at age 68 while receiving specialized medical treatment in Pretoria, was Zambia’s sixth president, serving from 2015 to 2021. His passing set off a period of national mourning in Zambia, but plans for a state funeral quickly unraveled amid a deepening rift between his relatives and the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema.

The dispute centered on the family's insistence that President Hichilema, Lungu’s longtime political adversary, not attend the funeral. The family also accused government officials of breaching prior agreements and making unilateral decisions about the funeral program, including the route for the procession and the scale of public participation.

On Wednesday, the family abruptly canceled the repatriation of Lungu's remains from South Africa, halting plans for a state funeral in Zambia. Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu stated that the burial would instead take place in South Africa "in accordance with the family's wishes for a private ceremony," and thanked the South African government for its "non-interference and respect of the... rights of the family."

President Hichilema responded by ending the extended national mourning period four days earlier than planned, citing the need for the country to "return to normalcy" after efforts to reach a compromise failed. The mourning period, initially set for June 8–14 and later extended to June 23, had seen flags at half-mast and somber music played across the nation.

Lungu’s death and the subsequent feud have highlighted ongoing tensions between his family and the current administration. Since leaving office, several members of the Lungu family have faced corruption and money laundering charges, which they claim are politically motivated.

The private burial in South Africa marks an unprecedented move for a former Zambian head of state and underscores the unresolved divisions in Zambian politics and society. The Lungu family has called for peace and unity among Zambians during this period.

Sources: ENCA, News24