Zuko Komisa

The family of the late former Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, has announced that he will be laid to rest in South Africa.
This marks a historic and unusual event as it would be the first time a former head of state from another country is buried on South African soil.
Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, passed away on 5 June 2025 in a Pretoria hospital after a period of medical treatment for cardiac complications related to a surgical procedure.
He was 68 years old.
Since his passing, there have been unfolding complexities regarding his final resting place.
While the Zambian government initially announced a state funeral and planned for his body’s repatriation to Lusaka for burial at Embassy Park, a significant disagreement has emerged with his family.
In a statement released on Friday, his family confirmed that the burial will be held privately.
“On behalf of the Lungu family, we wish to announce that the funeral and burial of our beloved Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu will take place here in South Africa, in accordance with the family’s wishes for a private ceremony.
“This period has been deeply emotional for family, and we are grateful for the overwhelming support and condolences extended to the family from across the continent and the globe.
“We would especially like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for their respectful support and for honouring the family’s decision to hold a private funeral and burial here in South Africa,” read the family statement
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