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Intrigue continues to surround the whereabouts of the remains of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, after a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) report indicated that the Zambian government has now executed the August 2025 Gauteng High Court in Pretoria judgment authorising the repatriation of his body for a State funeral and burial in Zambia.
According to the SABC report, the judgment—handed down by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria—gave Zambia the legal right to reclaim the late president’s remains.
This ruling effectively came into force after the Lungu family’s appeal attempt at the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa lapsed. The appeal reportedly expired because the family failed to meet the deadlines agreed upon with the Zambian government under an expedited schedule approved by the appellate court.
Read more: Family of Zambia’s ex-President Lungu dismiss poisoning allegation – lawyers
Former President Lungu died in South Africa on 5 June 2025, but a protracted legal tussle and subsequent appeals over the custody of his remains have stalled his burial for more than a year. With the court order now executable, the Zambian government’s latest move appears set to finally pave the way for his return home—though the timeline remains uncertain.
However, new controversy has emerged as the repatriation process inches forward.
In a dramatic twist, Diamond TV has reported that the late president’s body has allegedly gone missing in South Africa.
Family spokesperson, Makebi Zulu, confirmed to the station that the remains were moved from Two Mountains Funeral Parlour by South African police officers accompanied by unidentified individuals. He noted that the family had no information on the new location of the body.
Zulu added that the family was investigating the matter and would provide more details as they become available.
Since Lungu’s passing, his remains have been at the centre of a tense standoff between his family and the Zambian government—an impasse that has prevented his burial for over a year.
The Zambian government is yet to issue formal update.
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