Lungu’s Remains Set for Return to Zambia
After spending more than 10 months in a South African morgue following his death on June 5, 2025, the remains of former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu could soon be repatriated to Zambia for burial.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha confirmed that the Pretoria High Court has formally transferred custody of Lungu’s body to the Zambian government as of Wednesday, April 22, 2026. He explained that the development follows the family’s failure to proceed with their case before the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa.
Kabesha said the remains have since been moved from Two Mountains Burial Services (PTY) Limited to a state-run facility under South African authorities. He reiterated that a court ruling issued on August 8, 2025 directed that the body be handed over to the Zambian government to allow for repatriation and burial preparations.
He added that the Government will now engage the former president’s family to agree on burial arrangements, with details expected to be communicated to the public in due course.
The latest development follows a lengthy standoff between the government and Lungu’s family, which kept his remains in South Africa for months after his passing. His death initially triggered national mourning, but disagreements soon arose over burial plans.
The dispute escalated after the family abruptly cancelled plans to return the body to Zambia on June 17, 2025, despite preparations by the South African National Defence Force to conduct a ceremonial send-off. The move disrupted the mourning period declared by President Hakainde Hichilema and caused widespread confusion.
The family later announced intentions to bury Lungu privately in South Africa on June 25, 2025. However, a day before the scheduled burial, Kabesha secured a court order halting the process, arguing that a former head of state should be laid to rest in Zambia with full honors.
In court filings, Lungu’s widow Esther Lungu and other relatives opposed repatriation, stating that he had accepted dying in “exile” and did not want President Hichilema present at his funeral. They also claimed he felt neglected by the government while alive.
The government disputed those claims, maintaining that there was no credible evidence to support them and emphasizing that the office of the presidency must be respected. It argued that Lungu, like his predecessors, was entitled to a state funeral and burial in Zambia.
On August 8, 2025, the Pretoria High Court ruled unanimously that the remains be handed over to the Zambian government. The family continued to challenge the decision, first attempting to appeal directly to the Constitutional Court of South Africa, which dismissed the matter on August 26 and referred it back to the High Court.
Subsequently, the High Court rejected the family’s request for leave to appeal on September 16, 2025. The case was then taken to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, which granted permission to appeal in December.
However, the appeal ultimately lapsed after the family failed to submit required documents within the stipulated timelines, clearing the way for enforcement of the earlier court ruling.
The prolonged dispute has made Lungu one of the few former African heads of state to remain unburied for more than 10 months after his death.
