Edgar Lungu to Be Buried in South Africa, Family Confirms Private Funeral
The family of the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has confirmed that the former head of state will be laid to rest in Johannesburg, South Africa, following a private family ceremony. In a statement issued today, the family expressed deep appreciation for the support received from across Africa and commended the South African government for its non-interference and respect for their decision.
Family spokesperson Hon. Makebi Zulu noted that the family seeks peace and unity during this difficult period, and that further funeral details will be communicated in due course.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU FAMILY
For Immediate Release
On behalf of the Lungu family, we wish to announce that the funeral and burial of our beloved Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu will take place here in South Africa, in accordance with the family’s wishes for a private ceremony.
This period has been deeply emotional for the family, and we are grateful for the overwhelming support and condolences extended to the family from across the continent and the globe.
We would especially like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for their respectful support and for honouring the family’s decision to hold a private funeral and burial here in South Africa.
Your non-interference and respect of the South African Constitution, the rights of the family, and the desire of the family is commendable and will give space to mourn and celebrate the life of our loved Edgar Chagwa Lungu in dignity and peace.
The visit of the Honourable Minister for International Relations, Mr. Ronald Lamola, was heartwarming when he came to convey a message of condolences on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Lungu family continues to seek peace and unity amongst fellow Zambians during this time and thanks all friends, supporters, and members of the public for their understanding, compassion and willingness to mourn the former Head of State who, as it has been resolved by the family, will be buried here in Johannesburg, South Africa, at a private funeral.
Further details regarding the funeral arrangements and burial will be shared with the Zambian and South African public in due course.
Issued by:
Hon. Makebi Zulu
Family Spokesperson
Please just bury Lungu anywhere his family wishes…..no more unnecessary drama….let the family mourn in peace…
I am with the family on this. In the absence of constitutional guidelines, they are the undisputable and only real authority on this funeral.
Quiet embarrassing, you pull off the national mourning, and next the family decisively and swiftly says we are burrying in South Africa. This could have been avoided if the state honoured its part.
Shameful to the Lungu Family. Stay there don’t come back to Zambia? Ndiye Upuba uyuuu who does that? You will be going there for memorials? What a stupid family. Now they have started a war that they will not finish. All PF influencers should be arrested. This is it, they have lost it. Who would trust such a group of foo.ls.
The Guilty Momentum
When someone has the fear from his past, the burning inside never stops. Zambians, innocent people were affected by the gasing. To avoid completely from prosecution, disappearance in unfashionable manner occurs. And today we have just witnessed that.
This why Indians turn bodies into asshes and she share bottles among families and government.
Cremation, divide ashes or keep them pali Ba Ester Lungu.
Embarrasing, you die in a foreign land because you went there for medical attention after neglecting to fix your own hospitals during your time in power. South Africa and everyone is laughing at you why should you refuse to be burried in your own country. Beef with someone cannot be a good excuse to abandon your country.
@Wanzelu there is court Presedence. The Kweche Kaunda case in the Kenneth Kaunda burial matter. Why do we want to disregard that when the same ECL went ahead and used that case to bury Kaunda? The Lungu family and PF are just being hypocrites.
You can not mirco manage the state when the state relies on processes and procedure to do its work. The state is no a kantemba for you to drag around willy nelly.
PF drag this nation like that. We voted for sanity not emotionalism. Mourn yes, but any funeral sanity rules for the deceased to be buried. While support and comfort is give; within reason to the family.
Why do people lie like this coward calling himself China. Ati South Africans are laughing at us, that is a lie. They are not laughing at anything, it is your mind which thinks like that. I am from South Africa and we are not laughing at anything
Maloza ayo, I thought Chief Mumbi was even there to guide!! The country mourned without the body of the deceased! He went as a patient, how can RSA agree to burial of a foreigner like a stateless John Doe? I’m shocked! France would NEVER have agreed to LPM being buried in France! Where were his parish priests since they reverred in “christianity”? As an africanI’m shocked to the core – Mr Ramaposa surely? Tambo and others who died in exile were returned home to SA, Zimbabwe etc…maloza!
You are hurt ka lol
Only ex dictators or former misruling leaders get buried on foreign soil.Mobutu Sese Seko,Idi Amin,Bettino Craxi…
Kwame Nkrumah was first buried in Guinea baba then later after negotiations between two govts transported the remains to his home town . The same can be done here palibe maloza apa
He shall be brought back to Zambia after August Next year
No Sir/Madam, Pascal Lissouba is buried in France! His family will take back his remains to Congo Brazzaville when the atmosphere will allow!!
Shameful to the Lungu Family. Stay there don’t come back to Zambia? Ndiye Upuba uyuuu who does that? You will be going there for memorials? What a stupid family. Now they have started a war that they will not finish. All PF influencers should be arrested. This is it, they have lost it. Who would trust such a group of foo.ls.
The government is to blame. They did not keep the promises of the agreement. They changed traditions of allowing people to welcome the body at the airport and cut short the mourning period. What did we expect the family to do. For government those were just formalities but for the family they are grieved.
Now we will never know that he is really unalive. Habeas corpus.
@Shokoshugi then you do not know what MALOZA means = facilitating a curse! He went as a patient, he was NOT an exiled refugee/persecutee…Wait for the spat! There are those hoarding this as a “rallying call” next year…fili okotuleya…
Stranger than fiction!
Monumental and peace inducing decision.Zambians won’t be held hostage anymore and nation building is back on top of priorities.
All is well, the family has every right to bury where they wish
Don’t disturb them, they are the final authority. The order of descision making will always be family first, his party second and us the people together with the state third
RIP ECL – A humble and dedicated servant leader of Zambia
Lungu was a thief and a criminal. He was a servant of himself, who is responsible for the suffering Zambians are experiencing. He and Michael Sata borrowed and stole US $32.5 billion which Zambians are now paying through the nose.
This is not how we should live as a country…so much hate…..we shouldn’t be sworn enemies just because we belong to different Political parties and have different ideologies…
True. Ideology? That one NO. We just operate according to where the wind blows
ECL has passed on HH is very much alive
I ask you where is the impasse coming from
bear in mind this is between two people not the general population
There’s no guarantee that the burial process by the family and friends was going to go smoothly. I for saw obstacles and stampedes. Let it end the way it has ended. He’s not the first leader to be buried in a foreign land.
I stand with the family
As well you might. No big deal with fair-minded people. They’re perfectly entitled to reject a state funeral.
We should learn to forgive each other and move on….we can’t be walking around with a heart of hate and vengeance…..as a humanist am very disappointed with Zambian Politicians on both sides….
Dear Advisors to the President,
There were only 2 days left before the end of the national mourning. Was there a convincing reason for not letting run its course?
Ending it abruptly like that showed anger and emotion which should be reserved at this time.
The swift and decisive response to bury ECL in SA by his family who are the final authority on this funeral is a direct response to the abrupt end of the national mourning, and it embarrasses the state that a former head of state must be lying in foreign soil.
Issued by Friends of Peace & Justice, Lusaka 20th June 2025
“it embarrasses the state that a former head of state must be lying in foreign soil.”
How is that an embarrassment to the state? The family never wanted to bring the body but tried to hold the state at ransom. Wherever Lungug is buried, it does not affect Zambians in any way. Life goes on as usual.. Just go and join them if you want in South Africa.
Stop using such statements to spread unfound emotional opinions. They have chosen NOT the state so let them to as they please. We all have our lives to live. We have all lost a family member and for weeks some busines have “hunkered down” and borne the “brunt” while this family and is spokeman has spread lies. Didnt Lungu call state benefits crumbs? Didnt he refuse the state to pay his bills? And now they want to bury him privately? Have we all stopped breathing?
So lets move on….Kaunda family by way of court ruling followed what the courts said. Lungu is lucky he died in SA. Otherwise the would have seen the same ruling apply.
So bury him…as for me.
Comment: In Africa, death at times reconciles sworn enemies. But this Zambian issue is sounding unusual.
But in Zambia we’re far better though.You folks in Kenya went into bloody clashes in 2008 almost plunging yourselves into full blown civil war.
Get the big log outta your own eye before looking at the small speck in the Zambian eye.Zambia =sworn enemies vs Kenya = mortal enemies.
A blooming shame
A price for this is going to be high
there is no doubt about that
HH should have got off his high horse flown to SA and personally tried to make some peace with the family, Instead of delegating others to clean the mess
Advisors therelizno?
I thought the dying wish was for HH to keep away?
There is the inadequate man above replying to Tikki using multiple aliases Maybe…….
Bwana, using multiple aliases won’t cure your inabilities and inadequacies
FWD2041
The last presidential press conference lacked leadership. How do you cut off the national mourning you set and then claim that the doors were open. Did he want the grieved family to go and beg … It is fine it has ended this way no fights no blood
So Matumbo you want us to mourn in perpetuity? Please…..even the Queen that ruled over the UK was not morned for 14days. Zambia is not Nigeria or Ghana where the period goes on for months cause of their cultural ceremonial rites. Lungu isnt God and lets not treat him as such. Former President Yes, with the respect accorded but not God. The state did its part. Family brought mingalato…let them bury. Finito…kwisila, chapwa, and so on and so on.
I am with the family on this. If you who is not wanted at a funeral you are the first one to stop Zambians from going to receive the remains at the airport, then let’s bury in SA.
Millions are with the family
Just bury him there. No hard feelings except we will feel somehow betrayed by the politicians who are always trying to divide us.
At least we are coming to an end of this drama,whichever way. I am sure some if his family members will relocate to South Africa.
Good riddence…and to each his own
When you have a lot of money , unexplained money , burial in any country is possible, we wish the family well………
This lays bare the fact that all this impass was because of investigations to the late lungus unexplained wealth…….
This impass has nothing to do with who should and should not attend, this and that arrangement, no……….
It is because GRZ refused to drop investigations……
how can you accept a state funeral and expect the head of state not to
attend ?????…….. comeon
They accepted a state funeral only to find investigations will not be dropped……
They know full well you can’t exclude the head of state from a state funeral
FWD2031
Joker
Indeed the guy talking of investigations has always been a serious clown
Even the wife says it that this c parker guy is a damn joker
# Respect the wishes of the family
Look at this inadequate man above using multiple aliases…..
Only a man unsure of him self does that……
I’m sure his wife has told him him his inadequacies
We are here
FWD2041
Rubbish
Very strange! Lots of secrecy surrounding the death of former President Lungu. No official information about his illnesses, what he died of, what complications caused his death, whether the medical team was competent enough to perform the procedure, etc. Maybe his death could have been avoided if his illness was not wrapped in secrecy.
Too late the hero, he is gone
# Respect the family wishes
Burying Lungu locally could have potentially led to significant unrest. His burial in South Africa has likely helped to maintain a more peaceful environment. Given the unpredictable nature of the PF’s recent actions, only God knows what the outcome might have been had he been buried here.
So they’ve opted for a private funeral….from today no more press briefings or attention seeking….or any negotiations…no more ” addressing the nation about Lungu’s funeral arrangements…let them communicate within their family…..no media invitation…
The family is not in breach of any law. I am wondering why some misguided souls seem hurt
Labbish = multiple aliases
Maybe because he was republican president for all Zambians ?????
FWD2031
Surely we are all with the family on this. No politics. For any funeral, family wishes take precedence over any other. The family should not be condemned, victimised or called names. It is unnecessary. Let us move on in unity.
South Africa is our ancestral land anyway. Even in death you continue to antagonise a man. This is how some people inherit a curse that will haunt them for generations to come. M.H.S.R.I.P
The way the South African Sangomas like using body parts of powerful people for muti, it must be a frenzy now in Sangomas cycles of finding where he is being buried! Bazalila babululu ba Chagwa years from now when they try to exhume him for reburial in Zambia only to find an empty tomb, Jesus Christ style! Kukanya lwakwa Noah bakeba.
What killed Lungu fyali fyakuiletelela umwine! Too much addiction to sansamcation and bu Kaminamisa.
This is the truth
You may bury wherever and whenever as you have the right as a family. But please after burial come back to zambia as there are still many cases pending.
The Guilty Momentum
When someone has the fear from his past, the burning inside never stops. Zambians, innocent people were affected by the gaming. To avoid completely from prosecution, disappearance in unfashionable manner occurs. And today we have just witnessed that.
Just bury we have alot to think about. That person is no more and he shouldnt bring the nation to a standstill. Bury were ever u want. Infact the government shouldnt even say a word,let them be. Who is lungu when his dead.
Lets go back to work please….as we speak people are dying in our Hospitals due lack of medicine….and we’re busy fighting for someone who’s dead…..no wonder we will never develop…..we bring Politics into everything…..
The concerned rudderless politicians can pay for all the cadres to fly to SA and fontinize the airport that side before the family continues their court cases in Zambia in due course
If he is really dead let them burry there. After all maliro nimaliro ndipo kwasila sazabwelela. If they also want to keep the body forever let them do so. Maliro niya banja.
And yes,HH shall soon be travelling to South Africa for a summit meeting.He will come back.Lungu will remain there
WHY DID KK COME UP WITH ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION?
BECAUSE HE SAW POLIRISATION EVEN THEN
I REMEMBER THE WARS BETWEEN UNIP AND ANC IN MUFULIRA AND CHINGOLA DURING THE INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE
WHEN PF WAS IN POWER, THE UPND LEADER HAD NO EASY TIME
WITH THE ROLES REVERSED, LUNGU FELT THE HEAT
WE NEED THE PROVERBIAL PARADIGM SHIFT
LET US HAVE AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF INQUIRY LED BY EMINENT LEADERS FROM OUTSIDE ZAMBIA WITH A DECENT NUMBER OF PERSONS FROM WITHIN ZAMBIA
THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD FUND AND DIRECT SUCH A COMMISSION TO AVOID THE INEVITABLE INTEFERENCE FROM THE USUAL SOURCES
THIS IS FOR THE SAKE OF THE FUTURE OF ZAMBIA
THIS IS SERIOUS
KK came up with “one Zambia, one nation” slogan after repudiation of the Barotseland Agreement. Do not mislead people.
@ Gunner
KK came up with the ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION slogan because of rampant tribalism in our country including the secessionist sentiments. I am 80 years old: I was there
I believe Edgar Lungu was underated to a certain extent, his silence was mistaken for weakness when he was once provokingly called a visionless drunkard.
But look today how the international community has celebrated him, look how SA has refused to be boolied to submission of handing over the body to thr imingalato fanatics and how we mourn our beloved hero in peace as his body rests in SA.
Now the whole world has seen what this imingalato fanatics really is…
Lest we forget, we also say NO to bill mu7
@Breaker you are a genius mate! NO to bill mu7
I strongly disagree .
Those mourning loudest are the ones missing the benefits from Lungu’s corruption and lawlessness when vagabonds suddenly acquired mansions,entire river banks were illegally encroached, forests decimated,plots were. created from reserved land,parks and gardens illegally settle ,cadres reaping were they did not sow, marginalising certain tribes,, the list is endless
@MB thank you comrade, i think they are trying to use the current nationa status to quickly push in the unwanted bill mu7 .
The imingalato will not work
This action has been taken to make
New dawn government upset but it
Will hurt the family forever.
Typical African mentality….when it comes to discussions about development and improving our Economy….no one seems to be interested….but bring in stories about “dead bodies or any other useless arguments..you will see every jim and Jack becomes an expert….am surprised now we getting 100 comments on Lusaka because normally its between 13 to 15 comments…..
The former president, passed away under unusual circumstances, leaving behind many unanswered questions. There is little to no public information about his parentage, extended family, medical history, or the exact cause of his death. Could this lack of clarity be the reason he was buried in South Africa, perhaps due to difficulties in compiling a full biography or officially disclosing the cause of death?
Yes the comments are coming thick and fast mainly because this GRZ wants to absolve itself of any responsibilty to the fiasco
That cannot be allowed and hopefully this will be proved when 2026 comes around
In China…one person die…no one cry work continue….in Zambia one person die…everyone cry cry no work for 3 months….
Oh come on China is one of the old civilizations on earth next to African Look what they have done over thousands of years now look at us just passed the fire stage kikiki
we strive for greed and power by the looks of things
Now imagine if this is how serious Zambians are when it comes to development and keeping our surroundings clean……if we ask people to gather at A secretariat house or Belvedere lodge so that we can mobilize resources and clean all the garbage in Lusaka no one will show up…
I known this lUngu family for long and have been an In law to them . if there is an dramatic family. is this one. I am not shocked all these they are like these even on their family functions. Family tacitly survives on Gossip
The way south africans hate foreigners and you are busy boasting of burying in their land! Disgaceful! The Lungu family enriched themselves and enjoyed the privlledges of presidency but now do not want the responsibility those privelges came with. total disgrace. At least they could have asked to bury in Eastern provine.
The Lungu family has every right to bury where ever they want without being called names. Go and fix what you promised to go and fitx but lamentably failing. Leave other peoples funerals please
I’m sure mrs lungu will reach conscious with GRZ to bury the late president in Zambia in 2027 or 2028……..
After tempers settle and reality sets in…….
When all the noise makers have dispersed………..
FWD2031
They said they want a Private funeral but why are they rushing to the media and issuing statements…Private means Private…No Publicity stunts or attention seeking…Please Just Bury Lungu wherever you want so people can move on with their lives….