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The funeral of Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu took a dramatic turn on Wednesday morning when a high court in Pretoria halted the burial ceremony just moments before it was to begin. The move marked a continuation of the deep political animosity between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, which has now spilled into posthumous legal battles.
Mourners had gathered inside the Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg for what was expected to be a dignified farewell. Instead, they witnessed a somber religious service without a burial, as legal disputes cast a shadow over the ceremony. The court has scheduled a full hearing on the matter for August 4.
I. Court Halts Funeral Proceedings
1. Pretoria Court Intervenes
The halt came after Zambia’s attorney general filed a last-minute petition to prevent the burial from proceeding as planned. The request was granted by a Pretoria high court judge, stopping the service and directing that the issue be revisited in a formal hearing next month.
Lungu’s visibly distraught widow arrived at the cathedral shortly after the order was issued. In lieu of a burial, a mass was held to honor the late leader’s memory.
2. Legal Dispute Over Funeral Rights
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha cited legal precedent, stating that under Zambian law, a deceased former president is regarded as national property. He referred to a court ruling made during the burial of Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, asserting that state funerals with full military honors are not optional but mandated.
Kabesha stated, “The moment a period of national mourning is declared, legal provisions require that the state take charge of all burial arrangements for the former president.”
II. Political Hostility Between Lungu and Hichilema
1. From Political Rivals to Personal Enemies
Edgar Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 until 2021, when he was unseated by opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema in a highly contentious election. Their political rivalry dated back to 2016, when Hichilema lost a bitter campaign to Lungu. In 2017, their feud deepened when Hichilema was imprisoned for four months on treason charges after his motorcade allegedly failed to yield to Lungu’s convoy. He was later released following international pressure.
Even after leaving office, Lungu accused the new administration of persecution. He claimed he was effectively placed under house arrest and was obstructed from engaging in public life. Notably, in 2023, police banned him from taking part in routine jogging, describing the act as “political activism” that required prior approval.
2. Last Wishes Ignored?
Lungu’s family revealed that he had specifically requested President Hichilema not attend his funeral. Nonetheless, the Zambian government attempted to organize a state funeral that would be presided over by Hichilema. This conflict between personal wishes and national protocol lies at the heart of the current legal battle.
Kabesha argued that national regulations must override personal instructions, noting that a grave had already been prepared for Lungu in the national cemetery where other presidents are buried. This marked the third attempt to arrange a state funeral for the late leader—two earlier plans had already been canceled.
III. Corruption Charges Against Lungu’s Family
1. Legal Troubles Continue for Lungu’s Widow
The late president’s wife, Esther Lungu, is currently facing corruption charges in Zambia. She has pleaded not guilty to accusations of stealing vehicles, with a court appearance scheduled for this week. The legal cases involving her and other family members have contributed to ongoing friction between the Lungu and Hichilema camps.
2. Attempted Political Comeback Blocked
In 2023, Edgar Lungu attempted a return to politics, seeking to run in Zambia’s upcoming presidential election. However, his aspirations were thwarted when the constitutional court ruled that his brief leadership period between 2015 and the 2016 elections counted as a full term. Since the constitution limits presidents to two terms, Lungu was legally barred from contesting again.
IV. Broader Implications for Zambia
1. Tensions Reflect Deeper Political Divisions
The dispute over Lungu’s funeral arrangements reflects not just a personal vendetta, but a broader struggle between two political ideologies in Zambia. The intense rivalry has now disrupted even the ceremonial rites associated with state leadership, revealing just how fractured the nation’s political landscape remains.
2. Rule of Law vs. Personal Dignity
While Kabesha and other government officials emphasize legal obligations regarding state funerals, critics argue that personal wishes—especially those of the deceased—should hold more weight. The controversy raises difficult questions about how to balance public duty with private dignity, especially in highly politicized contexts.
Conclusion
The disruption of Edgar Lungu’s funeral underscores the enduring tension that defined his relationship with current President Hakainde Hichilema—an animosity so deep that it has continued even after death. As legal hearings are set to determine the final resting place of the former leader, Zambia must also grapple with larger questions about national unity, the role of law in politics, and the limits of state power in matters of personal legacy. In the end, what should have been a solemn farewell has become a flashpoint in one of Zambia’s most bitter political rivalries.
