LUSAKA, Apr 28 (THE AFRICAN PORTAL) – Former Zambia High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa seeking clarification over the handling of the remains of Zambia’s former president, Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
In a letter dated 27 April 2026, Mr Mwamba alleges that individuals identifying themselves as South African police and Zambian officials removed Mr Lungu’s body from a Johannesburg funeral home without the consent of his family.
He claims the incident took place on 22 April at Two Mountains Funeral Services, where the former president’s remains had been kept.
According to Mr Mwamba, those involved said they were acting on the authority of Zambia’s Attorney General, citing a Gauteng High Court ruling from August 2025 that ordered the repatriation of Mr Lungu’s body to Zambia for a state funeral.
However, he says the family obtained a separate High Court order later that same day directing that the remains be returned to a mortuary of their choosing. He alleges that this order was not followed.
Mr Mwamba further claims that the body was taken to a forensic facility in Pretoria, where a post-mortem examination was carried out on 23 April without the knowledge or presence of the family or their legal representatives.
He also referenced remarks attributed to Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, suggesting the post-mortem was conducted by South African authorities rather than at the request of the Zambian government.
Mr Mwamba argues that the handling of the former president’s remains was not authorised by any of the court processes cited and has raised concerns about possible violations of legal procedures and cultural norms.
He has asked President Ramaphosa to explain the circumstances under which the remains were removed and examined.
The South African government has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
