A bitter political feud has extended beyond the grave as Zambian officials announced they have gained control of former President Edgar Lungu’s remains, almost a full year after his passing in South Africa.
According to a Wednesday statement from Zambia’s attorney general, the government now has custody of Lungu’s body following a South African court decision directing its release to them. Officials said the remains were transferred from a Pretoria funeral home to a different location.
However, Lungu’s relatives assert they obtained an emergency court ruling demanding the body’s return to the original funeral home, where it has remained since his death last June while the unusual legal battle unfolded in South African courtrooms.
Specific information about these seemingly contradictory court decisions was not readily accessible.
The conflict stems from the hostile relationship between Lungu and Zambia’s current leader, Hakainde Hichilema, who were fierce political opponents.
The Hichilema administration maintains that Lungu deserves a state funeral in his homeland and burial in the designated cemetery for Zambian presidents. However, Lungu’s relatives contend that among his final requests was that Hichilema stay away from his remains and not oversee his funeral proceedings.
Last June, Zambian officials successfully obtained a court injunction that halted Lungu’s funeral service in South Africa while it was underway, compelling family members to abandon the church ceremony and head to court.
Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 through 2021 before passing away from an unspecified medical condition at a South African medical facility on June 5. He was 68 years old.
During Lungu’s presidency in 2017, Hichilema faced arrest on treason charges and spent four months in detention before international pressure led to his release and the charges being dismissed.
After losing the 2021 presidential race to Hichilema, Lungu later alleged that Zambian law enforcement was limiting his movement and had essentially confined him to his home to block any potential political return. The Hichilema government rejected these accusations.
