A year on, Lungu burial dispute remains unresolved

One year after the death of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Edgar Lungu, renewed appeals for a resolution of the burial dispute surfaced yesterday as political leaders, church bodies and civic figures weighed in on a matter that remains before the South African courts.

The anniversary of Lungu’s death was marked by fresh public statements rather than funeral preparations, underscoring the extent to which the disagreement over his final resting place continues to shape national discussion. Twelve months after his death in Pretoria, no agreement has been reached on where or how the former Head of State should be buried.

Among the most notable interventions came from Given Lubinda, who called on the Lungu family to allow the burial process to proceed. Lubinda’s appeal followed reports that President Hakainde Hichilema would not attend the burial should arrangements move forward. He said the prolonged uncertainty had become painful for supporters and urged those involved to find common ground that would allow the former president to be laid to rest with dignity.

Lubinda’s remarks added a new political dimension to an issue that has steadily expanded beyond funeral arrangements into a broader legal and public contest. What began as negotiations over burial plans has evolved into a dispute involving court proceedings, competing interpretations of Lungu’s wishes and continuing public interest in how the matter will ultimately be resolved.

Church organisations also entered the discussion. Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Executive Director Allan Kasung’ami said EFZ member churches and affiliated organisations should not organise, endorse or participate in proposed nationwide memorial activities linked to the anniversary before burial arrangements have been concluded.

The position emerged as various groups considered commemorative activities marking one year since Lungu’s death. The intervention from one of the country’s largest church umbrella bodies added another layer to a matter that has increasingly drawn responses from religious, civic and political institutions.

Civil rights activist Brebner Changala described the continued delay as a source of national embarrassment, arguing that Zambia should have found a way to conclude the matter long before reaching the first anniversary of the former president’s death. Changala said the situation had attracted unnecessary attention and prolonged uncertainty for supporters, relatives and citizens seeking closure.

The central disagreement remains whether Lungu should receive a state funeral in Zambia or be buried in South Africa in accordance with what members of his family have said were his wishes. The differing positions have resulted in a legal battle that now stretches beyond Zambia’s borders.

Last week, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal heard arguments from both the Zambian government and representatives of the Lungu family. The family is seeking to overturn an earlier ruling that favoured repatriation of the former president’s remains to Zambia. Judgment has not yet been delivered.

The court proceedings represent the latest chapter in a dispute that has repeatedly interrupted burial plans. Previous attempts to proceed with funeral arrangements were halted by legal action, while efforts aimed at repatriation have also faced challenges through the courts.

The issue has unfolded during an election year, ensuring that every development attracts heightened political and public attention. Statements from political leaders, church bodies and civic organisations continue to generate discussion about how the matter should be concluded and what outcome would best respect both the family and the office Lungu once held.

One year after his death, the former president remains unburied. The legal process remains active, public interventions continue to grow and the country is still waiting for a final decision on where Zambia’s sixth Republican President will be laid to rest.

Editors Note: “Twelve months after Edgar Lungu’s death, the burial dispute remains before the South African courts, while political leaders, church bodies and civic voices continue calling for a resolution.”