Zambia’s Prolonged Dispute Over Former President Edgar Lungu’s Remains

Edgar Lungu died on 5 June 2024 in Pretoria and was placed in a funeral home. In June 2025 the Zambian government claimed custody of the remains after a court order, but an urgent order later ordered the body returned to the funeral home. The location of the remains remains unclear. 21 May 2025 is cited as either the hand-over deadline to Lusaka or the next court hearing; a mass was held in Johannesburg in late June 2025.

Zambia says it has custody of ex-president's body in dispute with family over burial

Lungu led Zambia from 2015 to 2021 before losing to Hakainde Hichilema. Hichilema was arrested on treason charges in 2017, later dropped after international pressure. After the 2021 election Lungu alleged police-enforced house arrest, a claim Hichilema’s administration denied.

Zambia says it has custody of ex-president's body in dispute with family over burialJudge orders return of ex-president’s body in ongoing Zambia funeral disputeNewser

Edgar Lungu (former president, died 68); Hakainde Hichilema (current president); Lungu’s family; Zambia’s attorney general; South African High Court; Pretoria funeral home.

Zambia says it has custody of ex-president's body in dispute with family over burialNewserJudge orders return of ex-president’s body in ongoing Zambia funeral dispute

The dispute pits state control of national burial rites against the family’s demand for a private interment. A state funeral would reinforce presidential succession symbolism; a private burial could signal repudiation of Hichilema’s legitimacy and affect Zambia’s political cohesion and international image.

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Zambia’s attorney general said the government took custody of Lungu’s remains after a court order and insists he deserves a state funeral at Lusaka’s national leaders’ cemetery. The family says Lungu explicitly wished Hichilema stay away from his body and not preside over the funeral, and appealed the transfer, arguing the government’s “inability to proceed” cleared the way for the body’s movement. The funeral home has refused storage and urged relatives to arrange an alternative burial.

NewserJudge orders return of ex-president’s body in ongoing Zambia funeral disputeZambia says it has custody of ex-president's body in dispute with family over burial

Sources differ on 21 May 2025: some describe it as the hand-over deadline to Lusaka, others as the next court hearing. The exact location of Lungu’s remains after the urgent order also remains unconfirmed, leaving both sides without clear access.

Judge orders return of ex-president’s body in ongoing Zambia funeral dispute

• “The BBC quotes Zambia's attorney general as saying the family's "inability to proceed" with the appeal cleared the way for the body's transfer on Wednesday, a claim the family disputed.” — Zambia’s attorney general

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• “Hichilema's government has said Lungu should have a state funeral at home and be buried at a cemetery set aside for Zambian leaders.” — Government spokesperson

Zambia says it has custody of ex-president's body in dispute with family over burial

• “Lungu's family claims that he made clear that one of his last wishes was that Hichilema should not go anywhere near his body and not preside over his funeral.” — Family spokesperson

Zambia says it has custody of ex-president's body in dispute with family over burial

• “The BBC flags yet another wrinkle: The funeral home that has held Lungu's remains since June has reportedly said it will not hold the body any longer and asked Lungu's relatives to make other arrangements.” — Funeral home spokesperson

Newser

A court hearing scheduled for 21 May 2025 will determine whether the remains are transferred to Lusaka for a state burial or remain under the family’s control. The ruling will shape Zambia’s protocol for former leaders’ funerals and may influence the political dynamic between the Hichilema administration and Lungu’s supporters.

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