Pretoria court orders Lungu’s remains repatriated to Zambia

PRETORIA — 9 August 2025

Pretoria High Court has ruled Zambia’s former president Edgar Lungu must be buried in Lusaka, ending a legal dispute over his final resting place.

Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba ordered the repatriation to Embassy Park yesterday. This followed the Zambian government’s formal request.

Lungu died in Pretoria in June 2025 during undisclosed medical treatment. He had a history of achalasia (government statement).

His family opposed repatriation, insisting he wanted a ‘private burial’ in South Africa. Widow Esther Lungu stated he wished to exclude current President Hichilema from funeral proceedings (family lawyer).

Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha argued that state protocol requires former presidents to be buried at Embassy Park. He cited Kenneth Kaunda’s burial as precedent (court submission).

The court dismissed family arguments as hearsay, ruling national interest overrode personal preferences (judgment summary).

Zambian authorities will now plan a state funeral in Lusaka. No date has been set yet (government sources).

Reactions remain divided, with some viewing this as national reconciliation and others as political interference in family affairs.