The government has clarified that it has at no point been in physical possession of the remains of the sixth President, Edgar Lungu, amid ongoing legal and procedural developments in South Africa.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha says the remains have remained under the custody of South African authorities throughout the process, as legal proceedings over their release and burial continue.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka, the Attorney General also reiterated President Hakainde Hichilema’s position that he remains committed to ensuring a dignified process.
Mr Kabesha added that the President had even indicated willingness to stay away from the funeral if that would help achieve consensus.
He said government will continue monitoring legal developments while focusing on national governance priorities.
“In the meantime, government’s work continues. The President and his team remain focused on delivering the mandate given by the Zambian people,” Mr Kabesha said.
He further explained that the late Dr Lungu passed away in Pretoria on 5th June 2025, after which South African authorities opened an inquest into the circumstances of his death.
“Following his passing, the South African Police Service opened an inquest into the circumstances of his death. That inquest is a matter for the South African authorities. The Government of Zambia has had no involvement in that process,” he added.
The Attorney General also explained that on 8th August 2025, the High Court of South Africa ruled that the remains be released to the Zambian State for burial, with the family granted leave to appeal the decision.
However, he said no appeal was lodged within the prescribed timelines.
“No appeal was filed within the time permitted by the rules of the court. The deadline was 30 March 2026. By operation of law, the Zambian Government then moved to reinstate the 8 August judgment,” Mr Kabesha said.
He added that the legal situation shifted when the family obtained a fresh court order in Pretoria.
“The Lungu family approached the High Court in Pretoria and obtained an order that the remains be released to them rather than to the Zambian State, and the remains were handed to the family on the evening of Thursday, 23rd April,” Mr. Kabesha said.
The Attorney General stressed that government continues to respect judicial processes in both jurisdictions.
“Government has respected, and will continue to respect, every court order issued. That is a matter of principle, not convenience,” he said.
He further emphasised that the question of burial arrangements for a former Head of State remains a matter of national significance.
“The question of how a former President is laid to rest is not closed by the latest court order. Dr Lungu served as Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief. The honours due to that office must be properly discharged,” he stated.
Mr Kabesha said government remains open to continued engagement with the bereaved family.
“The burial of a former Head of State was never meant to be a contest, and it need not remain one. Our willingness to engage with the family in good faith remains undiminished,” Mr Kabesha noited.
Paneeeyo panu
What about the rumor that he is missing some body parts?
Fuseke we fortine.
Kulima you are mad boy. Come here i slap you with my gold pistol
@Kaizer Zulu, you’re a sadist whol will never learn how to stay in your lane. Opening your mouth carelessly shows shows your inner beating.
Anger Management Courses 4.0 can help you get better.
Most of you like this kulima clown are full of hate because your wives and partners used to go after me. Its not my fault you are ugly and broke
I am glad to hear that our president can stay from the former’s funeral who died under a different name in South Africa if that can help to heal a few selfish souls.
Now he says it. After the illegal post mortem. Why?
Thinking ahead. What will happen to the Lung family after burial? Just asking as I have no lawyer
They will probably immigrate to…..what’s the nearest country to Petauke? Mozambique? Or Malawi?
Why was it not indicated at the beginning that he would stay away if requested
Now he is on the losing end it is brought to light
The question still remains Why didnt he make an effort himself to resolve this with the family
instead of us being told grz this grz that
Because he is arrogant like you used to be. You have now seen kiki
The ruling party is like a cult, very vindictive people Zambia has never seen
We buried our president a long time ago
The rituals wont work. We buried our president a long time ago. That body is for hh relative he doesn’t even know kikiki
The priority must be sorting out the economy. Immediately the government took the widow to court was the beginning of the problem because there is no law in Zambia giving the state powers over the family, the reason government failed to cite any provisions of the law. PF left mealie meal at an affordable price of K90 for roller meal and K120 breakfast, this is much more important than spending our tax money suing a grieving widow and her children in South Africa
He remains committed to ensuring a dignified process? Do you guys go to school to learn? Not to get certificates. To obtain wisdom.
What is dignified about keeping someone’s corpse for one year? Just so you can be allowed into the funeral house? That’s insulting
Kkikikikiki!
Some people think to dignify someone is to salute his corpse and play a military band as you lower it into the grave.
Regardless of the quarrels you have had with his family.
And even him while he was alive.
Dont worry. We buried him a long time ago. We will see if hh ritual to win elections will work. Makaka!
Now that Zambian authorities have actually seen the body and verified that it is indeed that of lungu they have agreed to let him be buried without HH being present. If only the family had allowed this to happen long time ago he would have been buried by now.
Fuseke you chi f00l
Now that Zambian authorities have actually seen the body and removed the required parts for a ritual they have agreed to let him be buried without HH being present.
The family have to respect the deceased wishes
The blame is not on them
That’s another great one to hear.Bwana HH and his esteemed UPND team are busy working for the Zambian people unlike the radarless,idle and divided opposition .
Jesus once said “let the dead bury the dead’…..so let the politically dead opposition bury their dead.
F00Iish t0nga boy
Foolish tonga boy