Understanding South Africa’s Diplomatic Stance on President Lungu’s Burial Dispute
The ongoing debate over the final resting place of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has taken on regional dimensions, following the visit to Lusaka by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.
His engagements with both the Lungu family in South Africa and the Zambian government have triggered mixed interpretations, with some suggesting Pretoria is backing one side over the other. However, a closer look reveals that South Africa is treading carefully aiming to uphold legality and neutrality.
At the heart of the issue is the delicate matter of who holds the right to decide President Lungu’s burial location. While the Zambian government has expressed the desire to grant the late President a state funeral and inter him on Zambian soil, the family currently in possession of the remains in South Africa has remained non-committal.
The situation presents a complex web of legal, emotional, and political considerations that both Lusaka and Pretoria are trying to navigate.
South Africa’s diplomatic stance is shaped by its own constitutional and legal frameworks. In South African law, the body of a deceased person especially a foreign national falls under the custodianship of the next of kin unless a legal dispute is lodged in court. This legal principle places the decision firmly in the hands of the Lungu family, as long as the remains remain on South African territory.
By visiting both parties, Minister Lamola is sending a strong but subtle message: South Africa’s role is not to mediate politically, but to ensure due process and open dialogue. Pretoria’s intent is to avoid accusations of interference, while making it clear that it respects the rights of the family under South African law. The visit should therefore be interpreted not as a political endorsement, but as a procedural and diplomatic engagement.
Supporters of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) must be cautious not to misread Minister Lamola’s visit as a victory or indication that President Lungu’s body is returning to Zambia automatically.
In reality, South Africa is creating diplomatic room to say: “We consulted. We listened. We respected all parties.” Should the matter remain unresolved, this stance gives Pretoria the moral high ground of neutrality.
For the Zambian government, the stakes are not only political but national. There is widespread consensus that President Lungu, regardless of political affiliation, deserves a dignified burial in the country he once led. Failure to find a resolution could create long-lasting divisions, deepen public mistrust, and cast a shadow over the legacy of both the current and former Heads of State.
From a public sentiment standpoint, many Zambians believe that burying a former President abroad would be unprecedented and culturally unsettling. In Zambian tradition, burial on home soil is seen as a return to one’s roots, a final honour. This makes compromise and consensus not only desirable but necessary for the sake of unity and national healing.
South Africa, for its part, is displaying its traditional foreign policy posture one grounded in legality, sovereignty, and non-interference. Rather than forcing a decision, it is encouraging both parties to reach a mutual understanding, knowing that any outcome must stand up to public scrutiny and historical reflection.
Ultimately, the situation calls for leadership that transcends politics. President Hakainde Hichilema’s government has a rare opportunity to demonstrate humility, magnanimity, and statesmanship by accommodating the family’s concerns while ensuring that the legacy of President Lungu is honoured respectfully.
In the end, history will judge this moment not by who won the argument, but by who put Zambia first. The decision of where President Lungu is laid to rest will echo beyond party lines and diplomatic borders. It will speak to the values of unity, compassion, and dignity the very pillars upon which nations are built and remembered.
June 23, 2025
©️ KUMWESU
I honestly do not understand why ECL’s enemies want the body to be brought to Zambia. Whatever rituals they want to perform on his body have flatly been rejected. Their belief in witchcraft is disgustingly apparent, and they will be tormented for the rest of their lives if the body is not brought back. Everyone that loved ECL is happy with the decision the family has taken.
DO NOT ALLOW HAKAINDE ANYWHERE NEAR ECL’S BODY. BURY ECL RIGHT NOW IN RSA. DO NOT TRUST HAKAINDE AND HIS SANGOMAS.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
You need to be arrested,why do you think everyone speaking against your wish is Lungu’s enemy? By the way are you aware that Lungu was one a common citizen and had casted his vote against other on many times,was he then an enemy them? You are very childish because you think ECL was everyone’s coffee no some people belongs to other ideologies but death is to be respected regardless of your status in society.After all we have had much better leaders than ECL who shaped Zambia to what it is today and we BURRIED them quietly.Dont use your stomach to judge things.
Arrested for what my friend? That is what you shameless oppressors do, arresting truth tellers. Go ahead and report me in your home town Namwala. I have not broken any laws. Not even cyber laws.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Why does he ensure he is the first to comment? Placed on Pat roll to be the first to comment on each and every ppst. Does he do other things for a living? And aims to achieve what? After all 2026 its HH Vote Yes!
Zambians understand this, when a country like South Africa sends its foreign minister to Zambia. Its to tell Zambia, the Lungu family and PF that, the South Africans mean business.
The South Africans are taking offence at the behaviour of the Lungu’s who, as foreigners have displayed a high-level of rudeness and disrespect, and in making a unilateral announcement that the funeral will take place in South Africa.
That announcement was not theirs to make. If they wanted the funeral there, they should have sought permission from the South African Government and if permission was granted, then a joint statement issued.
South Africa is offended, hence the reason for foreign minister coming.
When you are fa foreigner, you do not go into another country and display this level arrogance and on top of it embarrass their president, their armed forces, and their airport authority.
PF and the Lugu’s must realise that the bush politics that they are known for in Zambia will not work in other jurisdictions.
President HH has delivered a clear message to the foreign minister, that Lungu should be buried in Zambia, it would most undiplomatic and against all protocol for the SA government to totally ignore him and side with the disrespectful Lungu’s.
Mark my word Lungu will not be buried in South Africa, its government won’t allow it.
@blackMan
Follow what’s happening in South Africa. Things are moving my friend.
Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, our 6th President, will be buried in South Africa. Every thing is in place. Arch Bishop Alick Banda, the main celebrant of the Funeral Mass is already in South Africa.
The South African Foreign Minister just came here to keep up appearances, and to have some selfies with the MAN.
Unless someone ‘ steals ‘ the body, the burial is taking place in RSA – with dignity, away from hypocrites and crocodile tears!
Just seen the streaming of a report showing Arch Bishop of Lusaka Dr Alick Banda at the Lungu’s family home in South Africa. He is to preside over the funeral mass of our 6th President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Things are moving in South Africa while the government here is busy churning out Propaganda.
Batila ati..’ULUSE LWALILE NKWALE’ Pres. HH extended an olive branch to his predecessor when he assumed office after whopping ECL hands down in 2021. Pres. HH didn’t go for ECL to revenge for what the man did to him while in opposition, instead he let me do as he pleased as long as it was within the confines of the law. But what does HH get in reply, ridicule, gross disrespect and hatred for no apparent reason. Just pure hatred. I’ve come to learn lots about this situation personally that you don’t give anyone a second chance or not will backfire right in your face. Be brutal and your are praised. Most Africans listen after a good beating.