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2mo ago

South African Court Halts Edgar Lungu’s Burial in State Funeral Dispute

Lungu’s burial was postponed until an August court hearing assesses the government’s bid for a state funeral in Zambia.

FILE - Zambian President Edgar Lungu attends the Southern African Development Community's leaders' conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, file)
FILE - Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema will discuss with French President Emmanuel Macron on economic issues. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)
Mourners gather in front of a banner ahead of the funeral of Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu, who died on June 5 while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness in a South African hospital, before a church service at the Cathedral of Christ the King, and a private burial, in Hillbrow, Johannesburg June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
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Overview

  • The Pretoria High Court granted Zambia’s government an urgent injunction on June 25 to block the private burial planned in Johannesburg.
  • Judges agreed that Lungu would not be interred until the dispute is resolved at a scheduled August 4 hearing.
  • Zambian authorities argue that law requires former presidents to receive full military honors and have prepared a national cemetery grave in Lusaka.
  • Lungu’s family opposes repatriation for a state ceremony, citing his feud with President Hakainde Hichilema and instructions barring Hichilema from attending.
  • In place of the burial, mourners held a memorial service at a Johannesburg church while legal proceedings continue.