Zambia’s Ex-President Lungu to Be Buried in South Africa, Defying Tradition Amid Feud with Government

 

The family of Zambia’s late former President Edgar Lungu has announced that he will be laid to rest in South Africa, a historic first for a former head of state from another country. The decision, which has sparked widespread discussion in South Africa, stems from ongoing disputes between the Lungu family and the Zambian government.

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According to sources, the family opted for a burial outside Zambia due to Lungu’s explicit wish that his longtime political rival, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, be barred from attending any ceremonies near his body. The 68-year-old former president passed away on June 5, 2025, in Pretoria’s Mediclinic Medforum, following cardiac complications during surgery.

This unprecedented move underscores the deep-seated tensions between Lungu’s family and the Zambian authorities, marking a significant moment in the region’s political landscape.