THE family of former President Edgar Lungu, who has been in the morgue for over two months now following an impasse, says it is willing to wait in an event the burial court case takes long.
Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu said all the family wants is f
or the sixth President, who died on June 5 in South Africa, to have a funeral.
“The family is more concerned with what is going to give him a dignified burial that is the main concern.
“If the court is going to take longer, the family is willing to wait until he is given what is deemed a dignified burial, not a mockery,” Mr Zulu, a lawyer, said this when he featured on South Africa’s Newzroom Afrika TV station.
He was responding to queries following the South African High Court’s judgment which directed that Mr Lungu’s remains be repatriated back to Zambia for burial against the wishes of the family which wants a private burial.
The Lungu family has started the appeal process against the judgement, insisting that the deceased deserves a dignified burial, arguing that the judgement was against the family’s rights.
“…not a judgement that takes away the rights of the family, that right to dignity that has been violated, that must be respected,” Mr Zulu said.
The anchor then asked the lawyer to explain what constitutes a dignified funeral and what role the South African Government would play at the funeral in an event that the family was allowed to bury in South Africa.
“What constitutes a dignified burial is anything that will not be a mockery to the legacy of Edgar Changwa Lungu or a mockery to the family of President Edgar Changwa Lungu.
“In the last event, we had intended to bury here [in South Africa] and we had intended to bury privately and I know the wishes of the family is to bury privately.
“If at all invitations are to be extended, they will be extended to necessary people that ought to be there, and of course with all respects being given to the South African Government for having accorded him [Mr Lungu] that opportunity to be able to access medical attention here in South Africa.
“But if that is going to disturb the diplomatic relations, then the family will proceed in a very private manner,” he said.
Mr Zulu said the family respects the will of the South African people and would not want to antagonize the relations between South Africa and Zambia.
“Death in this particular case and the burial have been a private issue and knowing that the remains of the deceased belong to the family we would like that to be respected, with permitations as only shall be allowed by the family”.
(Mwebantu, Tuesday, 12th August, 2025)
The decision by the court should be respected by either party. Makebi should speak as legal man not to Pse the family who are his pay master.
How very immature of you Makebi. A serious lawyer making such a statement?
These are the sentiments being suggested from someone we are suppose to respect in the legal fraterinity?
For what gain sure…..
Respect the dead..
God is watching you
Makebi Zulu is just a problem. A good lawyer is supposed to guide and advise the clients sensibly.
What a load of malarkey!! Surely a simple matter of a funeral should not be beyond the skills of even a junior civil servant !!
There you are with your knickers in a twist !!!
No wonder Zambia is now up the creek without a paddle!!!
Bad heart no wonder your brother killed mulaya guntila you are all bad hearted family
Bad heart no wonder your brother killed mulaya guntila your family is not good you need some power
This man is a contradicting himself. The will of the South african people is very clear. They have petition and dont see the need for the body of Edgar Lungu to be buried in South Africa. They state he should be buried among his “ancestors”.
So out of malice and pettiness the family want to think they can buy their wishes? Hence the petition.
As for the South African government its non of the concern, hence the court action. I honestly doubt if Ramaphosa will get himself involved in quivel that this family wants to drum up and whine about being refunded Ten Million rands while suggesting they will litigate for 10 years if need be. Who in the right mind would want to fight, for a cause that is laced with resources and a person (well as family) that are questionable. This is just a frivolous suit.
When a lawyer smells money, they can prolong a case for 50 years.
No need to be so rigid as life is too short.
I think muliko nobupuba umu mwee!
All in the name of hiding what killed Lungu.
You will hide but for a moment, but the truth will still prevail.
You seriously think you can fight the government?
Shallow mindedness!
Dame, careless, who will allow you that? Sounds self-overrated
The Lungu family is leveraging the death of former Sixth President ECL to channel their anger and dissatisfaction, not merely because the government stripped him of his presidential benefits and denied him medical care, but due to the resentment stemming from corruption allegations and the appropriation of their assets linked to the misappropriation of public funds. This is the same ECL who re-entered active politics, determined to employ any strategy to oust the UPND government through plan B.
Conversely, Makebi Zulu is employing delaying tactics regarding the burial of ECL to enhance his political stature and influence, claiming to challenge the government, which is also a matter aimed at financial gain. He has exploited the Lungu family’s because they are at their weakest point vulnerable to abuse. The Lungu family appear to lack the wisdom to see beyond the burial, instead they are consumed by pride, arrogance, and a desire for revenge to embarrass the government and President HakaindeHichilema. Meanwhile, both the PF and Tonse Alliance have already fractured, making it hard for themselves to reorganise their own confusion and disintegration.
The PF, under ECL, was a government marked by waste, poor human rights records, and governance failures. They committed numerous atrocities and ruled with cruelty, deeply entrenched in corruption. Immediately they lost power, the PF realized they were in serious trouble due to the wrongs they had committed, prompting them to mount a campaign against the UPND government. Their efforts will ultimately fail, as God Almighty abhors evil and will always safeguard the righteous and those who revere Him.
In summary, the turmoil surrounding ECL’s burial will eventually conclude, leaving people bewildered by the confusion that araise within the family over many hidden issues that will surface and revealed. At that moment it will be interesting to see how Makebi Zulu, as the family lawyer, will respond and provide counsel.
When you say we, are you admitting to be one of the architects of this impasse
Government should apply to inspect the body alongside the appeal.
Coming from a kind like this one, I am not surprised. Is he not the brother to that chap appearing in court for a murder rap? What a family!
When you look at the actors is SASA, I think Mpali should find it very easy to beef up their actor base, starting with the lady who labels male anatomies.