The body of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who died on May 15, 2025, at age 68, will be buried in Pretoria, South Africa, on Sunday, June 22, following a bitter dispute between his family and the Zambian government over funeral arrangements. The decision, announced by Lungu’s widow, Esther, on Thursday, June 19, has deepened political tensions in Zambia, with critics accusing the government of disrespecting the late leader’s legacy.
Lungu, president from 2015 to 2021, died in a Lusaka hospital from pneumonia, per Zambia Daily Mail. His family demanded a state funeral at Lusaka’s Heroes’ Acre, citing his contributions to infrastructure and economic growth.
The government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, proposed a private ceremony in Ndola, arguing Lungu’s corruption allegations during his tenure warranted a low-key burial. Negotiations collapsed when Hichilema’s administration refused to fund a state funeral, prompting Esther Lungu to arrange burial at a family plot in Pretoria, where Lungu owned property.
The row has sparked protests in Lusaka, with 20 arrests reported, per The Post Zambia. Lungu’s Patriotic Front party condemned the government’s stance, while Hichilema offered condolences but maintained fiscal restraint. South Africa’s government approved the burial, providing security for the ceremony. The controversy highlights Zambia’s polarized politics, with Lungu’s 2021 election loss to Hichilema still fueling divisions.