REAFFIRMING its stance in complying with the judgement by the South African Supreme Court of Appeal over the repatriation of former president Edgar Lungu, Government has told the former first family to feel free to bury in Zambia without Government interference.
On Tuesday, the SCA ruled in favour of the Lungu family and cancelled the Pretoria High Court decision that had allowed the Zambian government to repatriate the former president’s remains for a state funeral in Zambia.
This ruling gave the late former president’s family, who initially opted for a private funeral in South Africa, to have the legal right to decide on his burial arrangements.
Addressing the media yesterday, Ministry of Information and Media permanent secretary Thabo Kawana emphasised that government’s stance remains consistent with attorney general Mulilo Kabesha’s announcement that it won’t pursue the case an further.
“While Government does not agree with the judgment, it has resolved not to appeal the matter to the Constitutional Court of South Africa,” Kawana reaffirmed.
Following the Lungu family’s decision to bury the former president in South Africa, Kawana said the burial arrangements have become a private matter for the Lungu family, who may proceed with their preferred burial plans in South Africa.
However, he added that the Lungu family is free to hold a private funeral in Zambia without seeking approval from government should they choose to do so.
“Government’s year-long involvement was driven by precedence. All of Zambia’s deceased former presidents have been laid to rest at Embassy Park with full state honours.”
“Government’s involvement over the past year was motivated by its desire to honour former President Lungu in line with the established national practice,” Kawana said.
Meanwhile, Kawana said the prepared burial site at Embassy Park in Lusaka, intended for Zambia’s former Heads of State, now hangs in uncertainty.
“Government is yet to issue a directive on the future of the burial site that had been prepared at Embassy Park for former Sixth Republican President Edgar Lungu and will in due course inform the nation on what will happen to the burial ground,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that government had hoped to provide the Zambian people with an opportunity to mourn and honour the former President within their own country, but acknowledged that the family had chosen a different course.
He said Zambia has historically supported the repatriation of citizens and leaders who die away from home so that they may be buried among their own people.
Kawana added that government will maintain Lungu’s status in national memory.
“Former President Lungu will continue to be recognised as a former Head of State during future national remembrance activities, in keeping with the dignity of the office he held,” stated Kawana.
By Sanfrossa Mberi
Kalemba June 25, 2026
