Zambia's Ex-president's Burial Dispute Reaches Final Resolution

WHO:

ABC News - Edgar Lungu, former Zambian President, and Hakainde Hichilema, current Zambian President.

ABC News - Lungu's family.

WHAT:

ABC News - A South African court ruled in favor of Edgar Lungu's family regarding his burial.

ABC News - The ruling rejected the Zambian government's claim of custody over Lungu's body.

ABC News - The Supreme Court of Appeal stated that “the common law and constitutional rights of family prevail” over the Zambian government's claim.

ABC News - Lungu's family decided to bury him in South Africa, contrary to the Zambian government's wishes.

WHERE:

ABC News - The ruling was made in South Africa.

ABC News - Lungu died in South Africa and his body has been at a mortuary there.

WHEN:

ABC News - Edgar Lungu died on June 5, 2025, at age 68.

ABC News - The legal battle over Lungu's burial has lasted more than a year.

WHY:

ABC News - The Zambian government wanted Lungu's body to be buried at a cemetery for national leaders, while his family aimed to honor his last wishes, which included not having Hichilema preside over his funeral.

HOW:

ABC News - The legal dispute involved a court case filed by the Zambian government arguing that customs required Lungu to be buried in Zambia.

ABC News - The Supreme Court of Appeal is South Africa's second highest court, and the Zambian government could appeal to the Constitutional Court.

(UPDATED June 23, 2026 15:59 UTC)

A South African court has ruled in favor of Edgar Lungu's family regarding his burial, rejecting the Zambian government's claim of custody over his body. The Supreme Court of Appeal stated that “the common law and constitutional rights of family prevail,” allowing Lungu's family to honor his last wishes by burying him in South Africa, despite the government's desire for him to be interred in Zambia. Lungu, who passed away on June 5, 2025, at age 68, had been the center of a legal battle lasting more than a year, as the Zambian government argued that customs required him to be buried in his home country.