Zambia files petition to postpone ex-president Edgar Lungu’s burial in South Africa
Lusaka had proposed a state funeral to be presided over by President Hakainde Hichilema, but Lungu's family opposed it, stating that they wanted to personally handle his repatriation and that he had left specific instructions forbidding Hichilema from being near his body.
The government of Zambia has reportedly filed a petition in South Africa for the postponement of the burial of former President Edgar Lungu.
This comes after Lungu's family last week opted to bury the late President in South Africa, following a disagreement with Zambia over how the funeral should be conducted.
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Lusaka had proposed a state funeral to be presided over by President Hakainde Hichilema, but Lungu's family opposed it, stating that they wanted to personally handle his repatriation and that he had left specific instructions forbidding Hichilema from being near his body.
According to the BBC, Zambia's Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, has filed an urgent petition urging South Africa to halt Lungu's burial, scheduled for Wednesday, until the dispute is resolved on the grounds that the deceased deserves a state funeral due to his national significance.
Kabesha reportedly referenced the case of Zambia's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, as an example, arguing that individual or family preferences should not be given priority over decisions made in the public interest.
He pointed out that despite Kaunda's family expressing a desire for him to be buried next to his wife, the government proceeded with a burial at a national memorial site, prioritising his legacy and national significance over personal wishes.
Kabesha subsequently sued Lungu's family, including former First Lady Esther Lungu, their four children, the family's lawyer Makebi Zulu, and the funeral home where the body is being held.
South African media reports indicate that Lungu's family will proceed with his burial since they have yet to be issued with any court papers.
The long-standing feud between Lungu and Hichilema traces back to the 2016 presidential election, where the deceased narrowly defeated the current president. The aftermath was contentious, with Lungu's administration accused of undermining democratic processes.
Hichilema was subsequently arrested in 2017 on treason charges after allegedly failing to give way to Lungu's motorcade, an incident widely viewed as politically motivated. The arrest was accompanied by reports of excessive force and mistreatment, including the ransacking of Hichilema's home.
Despite Hichilema's release and subsequent attempts to reconcile, including a public pledge to "look after" Lungu following his 2021 election victory, their relationship remained strained.
Lungu's family later accused the government of initially blocking his medical evacuation to South Africa, a claim denied by Zambian authorities.
Tensions further escalated when Lungu's family insisted on a private burial in South Africa, explicitly requesting that Hichilema not attend the funeral.
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