Court halts Edgar Lungu’s burial in South Africa – SABC News

The High Court in Pretoria has halted the burial of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

The Zambian government had filed a lawsuit against Lungu’s family seeking to stop his burial in South Africa today.

It argued that no burial should take place until disputes surrounding the former leader’s final resting place are resolved.

Lungu died earlier this month after he had been receiving medical treatment in the country for an unspecified illness.

BREAKING: The burial of former President Edgar Lungu will NOT go ahead in Johannesburg today. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has halted the burial pending the main determination of whether Lungu will be repatriated to Zambia or not #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/zGkHoUEKEI

— Canny Maphanga (@CannyMaphanga) June 25, 2025

Lungu was sworn in as Zambia’s sixth president on 25 January 2015. He won Zambia’s second presidential by-election after defeating his main rival, Hakainde Hichilema.

Lungu won 48.33% of the vote compared to 46.67% garnered by Hichilema.

He replaced Michael Chilufya Sata, who died on 28 October 2014.

Former Zambian president Edgar Lungu dies: