Zambian Government Rushes to Court in Bid to Block Edgar Lungu’s Burial in South Africa
The Zambian government on Tuesday launched an urgent court application to halt the planned burial of former president Edgar Lungu in South Africa.
The move comes amid a bitter standoff between Lungu’s family and the state over his final resting place.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha filed the public interest lawsuit on behalf of the government, arguing that the former president should be buried in Zambia with full military honours, in line with national law and public expectations.
Also Read: Zambia Former President Edgar Lungu’s Final Resting Place in South Africa
Family Cites Lungu’s Dying Wish to Avoid Hichilema
Lungu, who died on June 5 at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria at the age of 68, is at the centre of a politically charged burial dispute.
His family insists he made it clear before his death that current President Hakainde Hichilema—his long-time rival—should “not come anywhere near his body.”
The family’s refusal to allow a state funeral presided over by Hichilema triggered the ongoing impasse. After more than two weeks of wrangling, they announced plans to bury him in Johannesburg, in defiance of government expectations.
State Sues Former First Lady, Lungu’s Children and Morgue
In his court filing, Kabesha is suing multiple individuals, including former First Lady Esther Lungu, four of Lungu’s children, family lawyer Makebi Zulu, and the private morgue housing Lungu’s remains.
According to ZimLive, he is seeking an interim court order barring the burial until a final decision is reached on where the former head of state should be laid to rest.
The application is anchored on the principle of public interest, with Kabesha referencing a past precedent involving the late founding president Kenneth Kaunda, whose personal burial wishes were set aside by the courts in favour of interment at Lusaka’s Embassy Park.
Court Hearing Set for Wednesday Morning
The urgent matter is expected to be heard at 8AM on Wednesday, just hours before the scheduled burial in South Africa.
It remains to be seen whether the court will uphold the state’s application and intervene to halt the burial, or allow the family to proceed with Lungu’s final send-off in Johannesburg.
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The post Zambian Government Seeks Court Order to Block Edgar Lungu’s Burial in South Africa appeared first on iHarare News.
