Court Rules – Lungu to be buried in Zambia

By
Lusaka Times Editor
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28
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A South African court has ruled that the late former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu must be buried in Zambia, siding with the Zambian government in a high-profile legal battle with his family over his final resting place.

The ruling, delivered in Johannesburg, upholds the government’s position that Mr. Lungu’s burial should take place at Embassy Park, the official presidential burial site in Lusaka reserved for heads of state. The court’s decision follows weeks of legal wrangling between the State and the Lungu family, who had sought to have the former leader laid to rest in South Africa.

Government lawyers had argued that the burial of former presidents at Embassy Park is not only a matter of national protocol but also of historical preservation, ensuring that the contributions of past leaders are honoured in a recognised state memorial. The State further contended that Mr. Lungu’s burial in Zambia would allow the nation to collectively pay its last respects.

On the other hand, family representatives — led by former First Lady Esther Lungu — opposed the move, insisting that the late president had expressed a wish to be buried privately in South Africa, where some of his children reside. They accused the government of politicising a deeply personal matter.

The court, however, found that the Zambian government had a legitimate claim over the burial arrangements of a former head of state and that such matters carry significant public interest. The judgment paves the way for the immediate repatriation of Mr. Lungu’s body to Lusaka, although it is not yet clear when the burial will take place.

Mr. Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, died last month in Johannesburg after a period of ill health. His death has triggered both political reflection and public debate over his legacy, as well as the handling of state protocols for departed leaders.

Government sources have indicated that preparations at Embassy Park are already underway, with plans for a state funeral likely to be announced in the coming days. The decision is expected to draw mixed reactions, as political allies and opponents weigh in on the legal and moral dimensions of the case.

28 COMMENTS

    • DON’T write in this language. It is NOT the country’s official language. Northern Rhodesia has at least 72 dialects.

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  4. Everyone thinks they can get away with misdeeds and injustice.
    But history has clearly shown that justice will catch up with everyone. For some, it catches up in this life. For others it catches up after they die and go to hell. Yes hell is a real place. Where all wrong doers end up, sooner or later, to pay for every single evil deed they do in this life. Beware, be afraid, repent, and act justly. A warning to all who hold the reigns of power.

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    • What are you even ranting about?These Judges are doing their job without fear or favour.Even if they appeal the result will still remain the same.You cant take this case to other international courts nothing can change.These are sober qualified judges.Look at that woman crying in court. She does not understand anything.

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  5. Since HH is not wanted there, let Mama Nalumango preside over the proceedings. Which means that only Vice Presidents from other Countries can attend – protocol demands that Presidents be hosted by fellow Presidents and so on.
    Since they have money, let that same plane they chartered do the needful. Let them illtreat him even in death by their shenanigans.
    Zambian tax payers have paid enough…..

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    • It does not work like that.You are now undermining the Presidency. Any funeral of a former Republican President, including Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is a State function, not a private family affair.To suggest that Esther Lungu , in her capacity as a widow , has the legal or moral right to chase away a sitting President from a State funeral is not only unconstitutional but undermines national decorum and the dignity of public office.Thats treason.HH represents national unity, not personal opinion. Lets reason with objectivity here

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  6. I fail to understand how some people would think the SA government would chose the lungu family over interstate relations with Zambia………..

    It was known that this will be the ruling, it was obvious……

    How can normal people want their relative to not have a state funeral ????

    And if they were open to a state funeral, who did they think would receive foreign dignitaries ????

    Stupidity verging on madness

    FWD2031

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  7. Lesa waluse, the innocent Zambian Government deserves better and they got it. Ichipani ca ba Sata has been been destroyed. The new PF is a scam period.

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  9. A rightful and respectful decision has been made by the rule of law, Africa is a continent of laws. Thank God for this progress.

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  11. Let fairness guide us. The court ruling on Lungu’s burial shows that state protocol and the rule of law—not party games—must govern our national rites. No party should weaponize the courts to dodge accountability or redraw borders for political gain; that would set a dangerous precedent. Let’s bury the disputes and uphold unity, justice, and the law for all Africans.

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    • Guess you are still blind!I blame the education system you have in Zambia. Those learned judges are doing their job without fear or Favour.The result will be the same.What kind of people are you who are failing to see what normal people see.Are you blinded by hatred to an extent where you can’t reason?
      Like I said before, No one has the legal or moral right to chase away a sitting President from a State funeral,it is not only unconstitutional but undermines national decorum and the dignity of public office. In normal country all of you suggesting such should be put in jail

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  13. No news here….lets talk about developing Zambia please….HH SHOULD JUST FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY…this Lungu story has now become boring

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  14. They can now fetch their prepared speeches from Koswe. Speeches which they don’t believe:
    After Sejane’s, they rehearsed what they will say at Lungu’s funeral:
    HH: He was a good man. Even when I overtook him in his presidential motorcade to Lealui, he waved. I doubt if I can allow Nakacinda to overtake my motorcade like that. I’d lock him at Mukobeko and throw away the key!
    Vice President Nalumango & Nelly Mutti: Hear! Hear! Your excellency! We would nt look for that key, no!
    HH: He was a very humble man from Chimwemwe township who handed me the motorcade at independence stadium and humbly returned home in a common man’s car, a Toyota.
    VP and Nelly: Hear! Hear Sir, dont forget to tell them that he could down Jamesons like water and still be respectful, not like Gary Nkombo who boasts after one drink that he’s the next president.
    HH: Ah really? Basimbi! Bacizyi! Its my speech, let me finish it! Ino kuli abali malubaluba? Bring them here.RIP

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  15. Every body including ECLs family has always wanted ECL to be burried in Zambia. It is just the government which abrogated the initial agreement and also the unwanted one who is pushing to attend the burial, complicating a very simple issue. Even just a diplomatic and PR call to the family ever since it happened has not happened, let’s see call records to say I tried and they did not pick my calls, statecraft and leadership is a skill and requires some experience

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  16. Every body including ECLs family has always wanted ECL to be burried in Zambia. It is just the government which abrogated the initial agreement and also the unwanted one who is pushing to attend the burial, complicating a very simple issue. Even just a diplomatic and PR call to the family ever since it happened has not happened, let’s see call records to say I tried and they did not pick my calls

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  18. Comment:very simple,the title 6th president can’t be removed whatsoever,he is a govt property.primary maths,NATION IS GREATER THAN FAMILY.

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