LUSAKA, Zambia – Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed that the late former president Edgar Lungu will be buried in his home country, despite a growing standoff with Lungu’s family, who have indicated their intention to hold a private burial in South Africa.
In a statement issued Sunday following a meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, President Hichilema maintained that Lungu should be laid to rest in Zambia, saying the former leader “deserves a dignified burial in his homeland.”
“We held a meaningful and respectful discussion regarding the burial of the late president, during which we reaffirmed our firm position that His Excellency Mr Lungu should be laid to rest in the Republic of Zambia,” Hichilema wrote on Facebook.
Lungu, 68, died on June 5 while receiving medical treatment in Pretoria.
Tensions have since erupted between the Zambian government and Lungu’s family over funeral arrangements, culminating in an aborted repatriation of his remains last Wednesday at Lanseria International Airport.
South African officials, including members of the military, had prepared a full ceremonial handover, complete with red carpet and military honors.
However, Lungu’s family withdrew from the handover at the last minute, citing dissatisfaction with how the Zambian government had handled the funeral plans.
The family accused the government of making unilateral decisions—including having President Hichilema receive the body—without proper consultation.
Hichilema has since publicly apologised to South Africa for the diplomatic embarrassment and the “unexpected challenges” that disrupted the planned repatriation.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa for the care extended to our late president during his period of illness,” he added.
Despite the President’s call for unity, the standoff has laid bare the lingering political bitterness between Lungu and Hichilema.
Tensions between the two intensified after Lungu announced plans to contest the 2026 presidential election, prompting Hichilema’s administration to revoke Lungu’s retirement benefits and security detail—a move widely criticised at the time.
Sources close to the family say Lungu had expressed a desire not to have Hichilema involved in his funeral arrangements.
The family has now vowed to go ahead with a private burial in South Africa, a move that would defy the state’s intention to honor Lungu with an official funeral in Zambia.
