Zambia's long-running fight over former President Edgar Lungu's remains has escalated, with the government on Wednesday saying it had taken control of his body over his family's objections—before a court ordered the body be returned to the funeral home that had been holding his remains. Officials insist Lungu, who died in Pretoria, South Africa, 10 months ago at 68, must receive a state funeral and be laid to rest at the official burial site for former heads of state in Lusaka. Lungu's relatives want a private burial and have battled the state in South African courts, where a 2025 ruling allowed Zambia to repatriate the body; Lungu's family appealed.
The BBC quotes Zambia's attorney general as saying the family's "inability to proceed" with the appeal cleared the way for the body's transfer on Wednesday, a claim the family disputed. Their lawyers asked South Africa's high court to order the remains returned, and the court did so. The AP reports the order also states the body should be transferred to the Zambian government on May 21; the BBC, however, reports May 21 is the date of the next court hearing. The BBC flags yet another wrinkle: The funeral home that has held Lungu's remains since June has reportedly said it will not hold the body any longer and asked Lungu's relatives to make other arrangements.
The feud is rooted in Lungu's bitter relationship with his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema; the family says Lungu did not want Hichilema at his funeral, while the government maintains Hichilema should preside over the funeral service.
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