PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-The family of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has issued a statement responding to recent developments in the Constitutional Court, reaffirming its commitment to pursue an appeal in defense of family rights over the burial of their loved one.
In the statement delivered on Wednesday, 26th August 2025, family spokesperson Makebi Zulu emphasized that the matter remains active before the courts despite the latest ruling.
The family had earlier applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal in the North Gauteng High Court of Pretoria while simultaneously seeking direct access to the Constitutional Court.
According to the family, the Constitutional Court has ruled that the appeal must first be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal before it can be considered by the Constitutional Court.
This effectively means that the family must follow the normal appellate route, though Section 18(1) of the Superior Courts Act ensures that the status quo remains in place while the appeal process unfolds.
At the heart of the family’s appeal is the contention that the High Court judgment effectively stripped them of any rights in relation to the burial of the former president.
Zulu stated that the family strongly disagrees with the position that they have no say in determining the burial arrangements of their relative.
He also argued that the High Court erred in ruling that Zambian law should apply, noting that no such law governing the burial of former presidents exists in Zambia.
The family further criticized the court for failing to consider the evidence presented before it and for introducing new conditions on the repatriation of the late president’s body that were not part of the alleged agreement between the parties.
On the matter of negotiations, Zulu confirmed that the government, through Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, has approached the family to initiate formal discussions aimed at resolving the standoff.
However, he expressed concern that despite directives for restraint, public statements continue to be issued by both ruling party officials and government representatives on the sensitive matter.
The family also took issue with President Hakainde Hichilema’s remarks on August 24 while touring the Copperbelt, in which he suggested that former President Lungu resisted handing over power after the 2021 elections.
Zulu dismissed this claim as an insult to Lungu’s legacy, stressing that the former president had willingly conceded defeat, refused calls from within the Patriotic Front to petition the results, and actively facilitated a smooth transition of power.
He cited Lungu’s public remarks at the burial of the late Jackson Kungo where the former president openly declared his decision to hand over power without resistance.
The family also rejected allegations linking Lungu to past incidents in which President Hichilema claimed to have been targeted by shootings calling such innuendo regrettable and unfounded.
Zulu concluded by urging sincerity and decency in the ongoing efforts to foster an environment for genuine negotiations.
He warned that broken trust can only be repaired through deliberate and genuine steps.
The family expressed gratitude to the people of Zambia and other stakeholders who have stood by them during what they described as an immensely difficult period.
In conclusion, the statement by the Lungu family underscores the gravity of the legal and political dispute surrounding the burial of the former president.
While the family insists on asserting its rights, the government continues to position itself as an interested party, setting the stage for further tensions.
The appeal process now shifts focus to the Supreme Court of Appeal but beyond the courtroom, the matter has already become a test of sincerity, respect, and leadership in Zambia’s democratic journey.
The path forward will require not only legal resolution but also political maturity to ensure that the dignity of the late leader and the rights
