Zambia ex-president's family wins latest legal battle over burial dispute

Zambia's High Court ruled on Monday that the family of former president Edgar Lungu, who died at age 67 in February, retains the right to determine his burial. According to BBC Africa, Judge Margaret Lungu Mwanza wrote that « an individual's funeral preferences sit above the state's protocol », rejecting the government's plan to hold a national funeral at the Embassy Park state mausoleum in Lusaka. The family had requested burial at their family plot in Chongwe village.

The dispute has been a source of political tension for four months. The government of President Hakainde Hichilema had offered to hold Lungu's funeral as a full state event; the family declined on the grounds that the gesture « did not feel sincere after years of political tension ». Lungu led the country from 2015 to 2021, served as opposition leader after his 2021 election defeat, and was placed under a corruption investigation in 2024. Family spokesman Makebi Zulu said outside the court « the law has stood with us, the ceremonies will be in the hands of his children and his wife ».

President Hichilema accepted the ruling on social media, saying « we respect the court's decision », and confirmed the government will not appeal. Social Development Minister Doreen Mwamba announced that the state would cover the burial costs and provide a non-protocol official escort. The family said Lungu will be buried in Chongwe on Friday. Judge Mwanza's ruling also took into account a separate inquiry into Lungu's health history during his Covid-19-era presidency.