Tag Archives: Edgar Chagwa Lungu dies

Health, Law and order, Obituaries

Lungu family secures Supreme Court appeal on former Zambia leader burial

Burnett Munthali

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-The long-running dispute over where former president Edgar Lungu should be buried is far from over, after his family secured permission to take the matter to South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal.

South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has granted the Lungu family leave to appeal against the Pretoria High Court ruling that allowed the Zambian Government to repatriate the late former president’s body for a state funeral and burial in Zambia.

The decision was signed by Acting Chief Registrar ZVD Ntaka, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle.

The application for leave to appeal was heard on December 11, 2025, before Justices Makgoka JA and Steyn AJA, who also set aside the High Court’s earlier order on legal costs.

The judges ruled that all legal costs incurred so far will be decided once the final appeal is concluded, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

This development temporarily halts the repatriation of Lungu’s remains, in line with South African law, which requires that nothing proceeds while an appeal is pending.

Lungu died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, and since then, his burial has become the subject of a bitter legal fight between his family and government.

The dispute began after the Pretoria High Court ruled that, as a former head of state, Lungu should be buried in Zambia with full state honours at Embassy Park, the official presidential burial site.

However, the family opposed the decision, insisting that Lungu wanted a private burial and did not want President Hakainde Hichilema involved in his funeral.

The family further argued that the High Court made serious mistakes in its ruling, citing several grounds for appeal.

Obituaries, Politics

Chawama legislator Tasila Lungu faces possible loss of seat as absence from Parliament persists

Burnett Munthali

LUSAKA–(MaraviPost)-Edgar Lungu — former Zambian president — died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, prompting his daughter, Tasila Lungu, Member of Parliament for Chawama Constituency, to travel abroad for funeral and related proceedings.

Her prolonged absence from parliamentary sittings has triggered a formal challenge over whether she should retain her seat.

During a parliamentary session on July 15, 2025, an MP raised a point of order questioning whether it was proper to continue recognising her as an MP, given reports that the family might not return to Zambia.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, reserved her ruling at the time but later stipulated that Tasila Lungu must present herself either at the parliamentary offices or the House within 14 days after her father’s burial — or within 14 days of the opening of the Fifth Session of the 13th Assembly.

As at now, no public announcement has been made by the Speaker or the official parliamentary records indicating that her seat has been declared vacant.

Because her burial has been delayed due to ongoing legal disputes in South Africa over repatriation of the body, the deadline for her return has continued to be subject to postponement — complicating the process of deciding the fate of the Chawama seat.

Despite growing demands from constituents and local governance experts calling for her replacement — arguing that Chawama has effectively been without active representation — the matter remains unresolved until the Speaker’s formal ruling.

In summary: while Tasila Lungu’s seat is under serious threat due to prolonged absence, she has not officially lost it yet. The final outcome depends on whether she returns to the House within the timeframe mandated by the Speaker or whether the Speaker rules to declare the seat vacant.

Obituaries, Politics, Regional

Five months on, Edgar Lungu’s body still in South Africa as repatriation deadlock deepens

Burnett Munthali

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-The body of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu remains in South Africa five months after his death, despite a court order authorising its return to Zambia for a state funeral.

In August, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the Zambian government had the legal right to repatriate the late president’s remains and instructed Lungu’s family to release the body to state officials.

However, the process has reached a complete standstill due to a protracted standoff between Lungu’s family and the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema.

The dispute centres on disagreements over the nature and execution of the proposed state funeral, with both sides insisting on different interpretations of the late president’s final wishes.

Family representatives have reportedly raised concerns about whether the government will honour what they claim were Lungu’s preferred burial arrangements, while government officials insist that the former head of state must be accorded full official rites consistent with his position in Zambia’s history.

The stalemate has placed Zambia in an unusual and increasingly uncomfortable position, with the remains of a former president lying outside the country months after his death. Observers warn that the longer the impasse continues, the more it risks deepening political divisions and inviting further legal or diplomatic disputes.

For now, the late president’s body remains in South Africa, leaving the matter unresolved and the nation without closure.

Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu died in June 2025 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa, following a period of declining health that his family had long considered serious and worsening.

Before his death, relations between Lungu and the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema had deteriorated significantly, with the former leader repeatedly accusing the government of political persecution and unjustified hostility.

The Hichilema government launched a series of investigations into Lungu and his family, resulting in the seizure of a number of properties believed to be linked to alleged corruption. While the government defended these actions as legitimate efforts to reclaim public resources, Lungu’s supporters described the seizures as targeted harassment.

In addition to property confiscations, the government stripped Lungu of several privileges normally accorded to former presidents, including an official security detail and certain statutory benefits. These measures were widely debated, with critics arguing that they set a troubling precedent for the treatment of former heads of state.

As Lungu’s health worsened, his family repeatedly requested permission for him to travel abroad for specialist treatment. The government initially refused these requests, citing ongoing legal matters and concerns about his travel intentions, a stance that drew criticism from civil society and human rights advocates.

Lungu eventually travelled to South Africa for medical care after legal interventions and heightened public pressure, which emphasised that access to treatment was both a constitutional right and a moral obligation.

His death in South Africa subsequently set the stage for the ongoing dispute over the repatriation of his remains — a dispute that five months on remains unresolved, casting a shadow over Zambia’s political landscape and denying the nation the closure that accompanies a formal farewell to a former head of state.

Obituaries, Opinion, Politics

Why Zambian Govt must step back from Edgar Lungu’s burial

Jones Gadama

……When compassion fails

The death of a former president is ordinarily a moment of national reflection, unity, and respect.

It is a time when a country collectively honors the contributions and sacrifices of its past leaders, setting aside political differences in acknowledgment of shared history.

However, the case of Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s late president, presents a starkly different scenario—one that demands critical examination of the government’s role during his final days and the ethical implications of its involvement in his state funeral.

Edgar Lungu’s passing in June 2025 has been met with an unusual and uncomfortable silence from many quarters, not least from the current government under President Hakainde Hichilema.

This silence is not only about the delay in his burial, which remains unresolved months after his death, but also about the profound dissonance between how Lungu was treated during his illness and how the state now seeks to honor him in death.

To understand why it is imperative for President Hichilema’s government to abstain from participating in the burial of Edgar Lungu, one must look closely at the treatment Lungu received while bedridden.

It is well documented that the government stripped him of all privileges ordinarily accorded to former heads of state.

This was not a mere political distancing or symbolic rebuke; it was a tangible withdrawal of support and dignity.

The government denied him his medical entitlements, forcing his family to shoulder the burden of hospital bills and healthcare costs.

This abandonment was not only a breach of protocol but also a profound moral failure.

The legal arguments presented in court by Lungu’s family highlight this glaring contradiction.

They pointed out the glaring hypocrisy in seeking to accord Lungu a state funeral—a mark of honor and respect—when, during his lifetime, the very government now orchestrating this honor denied him the rights and privileges that justified such a send-off.

The family’s lawyer posed a powerful question: How could a government that deliberately withdrew medical support and stripped entitlements from a former president suddenly claim to mourn his death with a state funeral? This question strikes at the heart of the issue and demands a response grounded in sincerity rather than political expediency.

The optics of the government’s involvement in the funeral are troubling.

Rather than being seen as a gesture of respect or remorse, it risks being interpreted as an opportunistic celebration of Lungu’s demise—an event that some might view as a political victory for President Hichilema.

This perception is fueled by the government’s previous actions, which appeared to have been aimed at hastening Lungu’s exit by denying him the care he was entitled to.

Such an interpretation casts a long shadow over the funeral proceedings, robbing them of the solemnity and dignity they should command.

Moreover, the government’s insistence on taking part in the burial could be deeply hurtful to Lungu’s family and supporters.

The family, who bore the financial and emotional burden of his final days, deserve the space and respect to mourn their loved one without the political overtones that the government’s presence inevitably brings.

The burial should be a private, dignified affair led by those who cared for Lungu most intimately—not a stage for political grandstanding.

The courts have a critical role to play in this delicate matter.

They must weigh the arguments of the Lungu family with empathy and fairness, recognizing that despite Lungu’s status as a former president, the government’s treatment of him was far from that of a respected statesman.

The legal system should safeguard the rights of the deceased’s family to conduct the burial according to their wishes, free from unnecessary state interference that could compound their grief.

This situation also raises broader questions about how societies treat their former leaders and the ethical responsibilities of governments beyond political cycles.

Stripping a former president of privileges and denying medical care is not just an administrative decision—it is a reflection of a deeper erosion of respect for the office and the individual who once held it.

Such actions risk setting dangerous precedents for future leadership transitions, undermining national unity and the very fabric of democratic governance.

The Zambian government’s conduct during Edgar Lungu’s illness and subsequent death reveals a troubling disregard for human dignity and respect. By denying him the medical care he was entitled to, the government effectively contributed to his demise.

This reality cannot be ignored or whitewashed by a state funeral that lacks genuine remorse or compassion.

The government should honor the memory of Edgar Lungu by stepping back and allowing his family to mourn and bury him with the dignity they deserve, free from political interference.

True respect for a former leader is shown not only in death but in the compassion extended during their final days—a lesson that Zambia’s current government must seriously reflect upon.

Edgar Lungu died in June 2025, but his burial remains unresolved.

The time has come for the government to recognize the pain it has caused and to act with humility by letting the family lead the way in honoring their lost loved one.

Only then can Zambia begin to heal from this painful chapter in its history.

Obituaries, Politics

South Africa Supreme Court of Appeal to set date for Lungu Family burial dispute

Burnett Munthali

……Attorney-General urges closure as family seeks to challenge burial ruling

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal is scheduled to set a date for hearing in a case the Lungu family has filed to challenge a recent burial judgment it lost.

Attorney-General Mulilo Kabesha expressed hope that negotiations between the government and the Lungu family regarding the prolonged burial impasse conclude soon.

“We need to come to a closure,” Mr. Kabesha said when he appeared on Diamond Television’s COSTA programme on Sunday.

Three weeks ago, the Gauteng High Court refused to allow the Lungu family to appeal against its judgment.

The High Court had ordered the repatriation of ex-President Edgar Lungu’s body back to Zambia for burial.

On August 8, the High Court ruled that the Zambian government could repatriate Mr. Lungu’s remains from South Africa.

The court further ruled that he would be accorded a State funeral following his death on June 5, 2025.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Lungu family applied for leave to appeal against the judgment.

They argued that the lower court’s verdict failed to consider their rights in the burial matter.

However, on September 16, the High Court dismissed the leave application, stating that it lacked merit.

Following this dismissal, the Lungu family lodged another application for leave to appeal before the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court of Appeal will determine whether the family can challenge the High Court’s earlier decision.

The matter has attracted national attention due to the prolonged dispute and the high-profile nature of the late president.

Attorney-General Kabesha has emphasized the need for both sides to resolve the issue amicably to bring closure to the nation.

The Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision on whether to hear the case will be closely watched by both the government and the Lungu family.

This case highlights the complexities involved in balancing family rights with state protocols regarding state funerals and repatriation.

Once a hearing date is set, the proceedings will provide clarity on the legal standing of the family’s claims.

The resolution of the dispute is expected to finally allow arrangements for ex-President Edgar Lungu’s burial to proceed.

Obituaries, Opinion, Politics

Edgar Lungu’s final words on Pulse TV: A painful farewell to freedom

Burnett Munthali

LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s last interview on Pulse Television before his death carried a haunting weight of frustration, disappointment, and helplessness.

Speaking with visible emotion, Lungu declared, “I wouldn’t die a peaceful death if I would die today,” signalling that the burdens he carried in his final days were far from resolved.

He lamented that those in authority were determined to squeeze him out of ordinary life, stripping him of the simple identity of “just a Zambian.”

Even basic activities, such as stepping out for fresh air or jogging in the morning, were prohibited on the grounds that they were acts of politicking.

The clampdown extended to his spiritual life, as he revealed that he was stopped from going to church, with authorities again labelling it as a political move.

He further revealed that he was denied the opportunity to visit friends, with every gesture and action interpreted as political posturing.

According to Lungu, this stifling atmosphere did not only affect him but extended to his wife and children, whose every movement was politicised.

The former leader expressed deep sadness at how the political climate left both him and his wife feeling utterly helpless in the face of these restrictions.

Concluding Analysis

Edgar Lungu’s words were not just a personal outcry; they were a stark commentary on the realities of political life in Zambia after leaving the presidency.

His lament highlights a broader issue in African politics — the tendency to hound former leaders, not through courts or formal investigations, but by socially and politically isolating them.

Lungu’s final reflections serve as a sobering reminder of the thin line between governance and personal freedom, and they raise difficult questions about the future of political tolerance in Zambia.

Obituaries, Politics

South African Court orders immediate repatriation of Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s body

Burnett Munthali

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-In a landmark ruling that has stirred international attention, a South African court has ordered the immediate repatriation of the body of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu to his home country.

The court emphasized that the remains of the late president must be handed over to the Zambian government without delay and without fail.

As part of the court’s directive, only two members of President Lungu’s family will be permitted to accompany the body on its journey back to Zambia.

In addition to the family representatives, the court has also authorized the late president’s personal doctor to join the delegation accompanying the remains.

The court underscored that no other individuals—political or otherwise—should be part of the repatriation team.

This ruling puts to rest a tense diplomatic standoff and speculation regarding the circumstances surrounding the former president’s passing and the delay in the return of his body.

It also reaffirms the importance of state responsibility in managing the repatriation of high-ranking national figures, especially those who held the office of president.

President Lungu’s death has sent shockwaves across the southern African region, prompting outpourings of grief and tributes from political allies, opponents, and citizens alike.

As the nation prepares to receive the body of its former leader, attention now shifts to the Zambian government’s next steps in planning and managing an official state funeral befitting a former head of state.

The return of the late president’s body is expected to bring some closure to a nation still grappling with the news of his sudden demise.

Authorities in both South Africa and Zambia are expected to coordinate closely to ensure a smooth and respectful transition during this sensitive period.

Further details regarding funeral arrangements, public mourning protocols, and national ceremonies are expected to be announced by the Zambian government in the coming days.

The ruling by the South African court stands as a reminder of the legal and diplomatic frameworks that govern international cases involving high-profile deaths, especially when they occur outside a leader’s country of origin.

Obituaries, Politics

AG Kabesha disputes claims of Edgar Lungu’s burial wishes in South Africa

Burnett Munthali

LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Attorney-General Mulilo Kabesha has told a South African court that there is no evidence to suggest that former President Edgar Lungu wished to be buried abroad.

Mr. Kabesha’s submission comes in response to claims made by the Lungu family, particularly former First Lady Esther Lungu, regarding the late president’s burial preferences.

In earlier testimony, Mrs. Lungu had admitted that her husband did not specify any burial arrangements or wishes in his will.

However, she stated that during the former president’s stay in South Africa, he had been consistent in expressing his desire that President Hakainde Hichilema should have no involvement with his body upon his death.

Mrs. Lungu further argued that her late husband feared he would not be afforded a dignified funeral if his remains were handled in Zambia.

In a counter-submission, Mr. Kabesha maintained that the absence of explicit instructions or documented wishes from Mr. Lungu meant that the narrative of a burial abroad could not stand as fact.

He asserted that the evidence presented in court strongly suggests that the former head of state never formally or informally requested to be laid to rest outside Zambia.

The matter has since attracted significant public interest, particularly given the political rivalry between Mr. Lungu and President Hichilema, which continues to color public discourse around the late president’s legacy and final rites.

The South African court is expected to consider both sides’ arguments before delivering its ruling on the matter.

Law and order, Obituaries, Politics

“My husband could survived if he allowed to seek medical attention in time”-Former First Lady Esther Lungu submits in court

Lloyd M’bwana

LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-FORMER First Lady Esther Lungu has submitted in court that her late husband former President Edgar Lungu was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus by his attending medical specialists.

Mrs Lungu submits before the South African High Court that the ailment was diagnosed on his arrival in South Africa, January 2025.

But she submits that doctors stated that had Mr Lungu been accorded an opportunity to consult with the doctors in 2023, they would have removed the cancerous tumour.

As part of evidence, Mrs Lungu submitted a letter dated September 7, 2023, in which Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Oliver Kalabo informed Mr Lungu that he had not been granted authority to travel from Zambia to South Africa for medical reviews.

In the official letter, Dr Kalabo was responding to a letter dated August 13, 2023, in which Mr Lungu sought authority to travel to South Africa for routine medical attention.

Mrs Lungu said this delayed access to specialist medical treatment contributed to the worsening the spread of the disease on her husband, who died on June 5, 2025, in South Africa during treatment.

“I pause to mention that the treating physicians expressly indicated that, had the late President Lungu been afforded the opportunity to consult with them during 2023 or, at the latest, early 2024, they would, in all probability, have been able to remove the tumour timeously, thereby avoiding any life-threatening consequences.

“Unfortunately, due to the delayed access to medical intervention, the tumour had progressed to an inoperable stage, and the only remaining course of action was to administer palliative care aimed at pain management and comfort in his final days,” the widow submits in court.

This is in a case Zambia’s Attorney General Mulilo Kasbesha has filed a lawsuit seeking to have Mr Lungu’s remains repatriated back to Zambia for a State funeral and burial.

This follows an impasse between the Government and the Lungu family over the burial arrangements for the sixth President who served Zambia for seven years upto, 2021.

The family wants to have a private burial in South Africa but the Zambian Government contends that Mr Lungu should have a State funeral in line with established protocols.

But the Lungu family has argued that since the court case is being heard in South Africa, the law of that land should apply on who should be in charge of the deceased’s burial procession.

“In the event that Zambian law does not apply, then South African law dictates that the wishes of the late President Lungu was that the Late President would be buried in Zambia based on the assumption that the Benefits Act shows the intention of being buried in Zambia;

“If the court however does not find that there is any direction from the late President, the South African law dictates that the next of kin can decide the burial and manner thereof, wherefore, the Applicant seeks to enforce an alleged agreement by the family that the late President Lungu would be buried in Zambia,” she submits.

Mrs Lungu submits that the application that Mr Lungu’s remains be sent back to Zambian is legally unsustainable, factually flawed and permissible in the context of the South African Constitution, 108 of 996.

“The applicant has no legal standing or enforceable right in South African law to compel the repatriation of the remains of the late President Lungu,” she adds.

Source: Mwebantu