Nearly a year after his death, former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has still not been laid to rest — and the situation has now taken another dramatic turn.
What should have been a national farewell has instead become one of the most prolonged and controversial burial disputes in Zambia’s history, with legal battles, political tensions and family disagreements all playing a role.
Latest Update: Court Orders and Confusion
The latest developments have added even more uncertainty.
Authorities briefly took custody of Lungu’s body in South Africa following a court ruling that allowed the Zambian government to proceed with plans for a state funeral. However, that move was quickly challenged, and another urgent court order forced the body to be returned to the funeral home where it had been kept.
This back-and-forth has only deepened the confusion, with no clear resolution yet on when or where the burial will finally take place.
Why Edgar Lungu Has Not Been Buried
At the centre of the delay is a long-running dispute between Lungu’s family and the Zambian government.
The government insists that the former president should be buried in Zambia with full state honours, arguing that he belongs to the nation and deserves an official farewell.
His family, however, has strongly opposed this.
They have maintained that Lungu did not want certain political figures involved in his funeral and have pushed for a more private burial arrangement, even suggesting that he be laid to rest in South Africa.
This disagreement has turned what should have been a straightforward process into a complex legal and political battle.
A Timeline That Keeps Shifting
Lungu died on 5 June 2025 in South Africa, where he had been receiving medical treatment. Initial plans were made for his body to be returned to Zambia for a state funeral, but those arrangements collapsed after disagreements between the family and government.
Since then, multiple court cases, negotiations and failed agreements have delayed the burial.
At one point, a specific date was even set for the handover of his remains, but that too was disrupted when authorities attempted to move the body earlier than agreed, leading to further legal action.
Now, with new court orders in play, the timeline remains uncertain.
Political Tensions Behind the Dispute
This is not just a family disagreement. It is also deeply political.
Lungu and current President Hakainde Hichilema had a long and often tense rivalry, and that history continues to influence the situation even after Lungu’s death.
The family’s refusal to allow a state-led funeral is partly rooted in that relationship, while the government’s insistence on repatriation reflects its position that former leaders should be honoured at a national level.
As a result, the burial has become more than a personal matter — it has turned into a national issue.
A Nation Still Waiting
For many Zambians, the situation has become increasingly frustrating.
Months have passed without closure, and what was meant to be a moment of unity has instead exposed divisions. The continued delay has raised questions about respect, leadership and how the country honours its former presidents.
There is also growing concern about the precedent this sets. Never before has a former head of state remained unburied for such an extended period in Zambia.
What Happens Next
For now, the situation remains unresolved.
Legal processes are still ongoing, and both sides appear firm in their positions. While there have been moments where a breakthrough seemed close, each time the situation has taken another turn.
The next steps will likely depend on further court decisions and whether any agreement can finally be reached between the family and the state.
The Bigger Picture
What makes this situation so significant is not just the delay itself, but what it represents.
It highlights the intersection of law, politics and personal wishes in one of the most sensitive moments a country can face — the burial of a former president.
And until a resolution is reached, Zambia remains in a rare and uncomfortable position. Still waiting.
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