In a dramatic legal showdown, Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha SC, has filed a lawsuit at the Gauteng Division of the High Court seeking to halt the planned burial of former President Edgar Lungu in South Africa, scheduled for tomorrow, June 25.
Lungu, who died on June 5, 2025, in South Africa, lies at the center of a bitter dispute between his family—who want to honor his wishes for a private burial on South African soil—and the Zambian government, which demands a state funeral in Zambia’s Embassy Park with full military honors.
⚖️ Legal Battle Over Burial Rights
The lawsuit names as respondents:
- Lungu’s widow, Esther Lungu
- Four of their children
- Family lawyer Makebi Zulu
- Charles Phiri
- Two Mountains Pty, the morgue holding Lungu’s remains
Attorney General Kabesha argues that Zambian law and the public interest require Lungu’s burial in Zambia, citing the historic precedent of former President Kenneth Kaunda’s state funeral.
He is seeking an interim court order to stop the burial until the court resolves the dispute.
🔥 Controversy and National Debate
The case has ignited intense debate across Zambia, dividing opinion over whether the late president’s final resting place should follow his family’s wishes or the government’s position.
As the court prepares to hear arguments, the outcome will set a crucial precedent on how the remains of national leaders are handled in relation to personal desires and state protocol.
