Hon. Makebi Zulu, legal counsel and spokesperson for the family of the late former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has reaffirmed that the family will prioritise dignity above all else. He stressed that if a private burial is the only way to guarantee that dignity, the family is ready to proceed without the Zambian government’s involvement.
Speaking during an interview on South Africa’s Newzroom Africa, Zulu criticised the Pretoria High Court’s decision ordering the handover of the former president’s remains to the Zambian government for repatriation and a state funeral. He argued that the ruling disregards the family’s rights and undermines the concessions they had agreed upon.
“The family’s goal is simple — a dignified send-off,” Zulu stated. “That cannot be guaranteed if the very people accused of violating his rights in life are given control over his burial in death.”
Dignity Over Politics
Zulu accused the court of focusing narrowly on a “purported agreement” while ignoring fundamental issues such as the constitutional right to dignity, the authority of the next of kin, and the fact that President Lungu died as a private citizen. This, he said, followed the Hichilema administration’s decision to strip him of his former head-of-state benefits, including medical care and security.
“You cannot strip him of his benefits in life and then suddenly claim public interest in his death,” Zulu argued. “The family, not the state, should decide how he is laid to rest.”
Private Burial a Serious Option
While the Zambian government insists that it has an obligation to accord a former president a state funeral, Zulu pointed to international precedents — including the funeral arrangements of Nelson Mandela — to argue that family rights take precedence over state claims.
If the courts ultimately side with the state, Zulu confirmed that the family is prepared to hold a private burial in South Africa. Attendance would be limited to only essential individuals, and the proceedings would strictly reflect the wishes of the late president and his loved ones.
Willingness to Wait
The ongoing legal appeal could delay the burial, but Zulu emphasised that timing is not the priority.
“If it takes longer, so be it,” he said. “What matters most is dignity — for the family and for President Lungu. That dignity will not be traded for political theatre or expedience.”
The legal battle now moves to the South African Supreme Court of Appeal, which will determine whether a family’s right to define a dignified funeral can outweigh a state’s claim to control the burial of a former head of state.
