GRACE CHAILE
THE South African government has categorically stated that it shall respect the decision of the family of late former President Edgar Lungu to bury him in South Africa, following an impasse between the family and the Zambian government over the conduct of the funeral and eventual burial.
In a letter dated June 24, 2025, addressed to former First Lady Esther Lungu, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has expressed its continued support and readiness to assist the family, even as efforts to repatriate the remains to Zambia had not yielded a consensus.
“South Africa regrets that all efforts to facilitate the return of the mortal remains to Zambia have not achieved the desired outcome. However, we respect the family’s decision regarding the burial site of the former President,” wrote Director-General Zane Dangor.
The DIRCO confirmed receipt of Ms Lungu’s earlier letter dated June 18, in which she informed Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini of the family’s final decision to have President Lungu buried in South Africa..
The letter outlined the diplomatic engagements held following President Lungu’s death, including a visit by Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, to President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 13, 2025, as President Hakainde Hichilema’s special envoy.
Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola also met with the Lungu family on June 20 before travelling to Zambia the next day for a meeting with President Hichilema, under Mr Ramaphosa’s directive.
“These meetings were part of ongoing efforts to facilitate a farewell befitting the stature of the late President,” the letter stated.
Despite these engagements, no agreement was reached between the family and the Zambian State. Still, the South African government emphasised its commitment to assist if an amicable resolution is reached, even at this late stage.
