The South African Police Service has issued a subpoena to Two Mountains Burial Services, the funeral home where former president Edgar Lungu’s remains are believed to be kept, demanding that his body be released for a post mortem examination.
Police say the procedure is intended to establish whether Lungu died of natural causes or as a result of poisoning, as has been alleged in some quarters. According to SAPS, once the post mortem is completed, the body will immediately be returned to Two Mountains Burial Services.
The latest development adds a new layer of complexity to an already protracted legal and diplomatic dispute surrounding the late former head of state. Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, died on June 5, 2025 in South Africa, where he had been residing.
In the days following his death, controversy erupted over plans by his family to bury him in South Africa. The Zambian government, through Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, moved swiftly to challenge the decision in court. Kabesha sought an interim order to prevent the burial from proceeding outside Zambia, arguing that it was in the public interest for the remains of a former president to be repatriated and interred at home.
The High Court proceedings in South Africa drew significant public and political attention in both countries. The Zambian government maintained that Lungu, as a former head of state, was not merely a private citizen but a national figure whose final resting place carried constitutional and symbolic weight. Government lawyers argued that burying him outside Zambia would deny citizens the opportunity to pay their last respects and would set a troubling precedent.
On the other hand, members of the Lungu family insisted that the decision regarding burial arrangements lay with them. They contended that Lungu had personal reasons for remaining in South Africa and that his wishes, as well as those of his immediate family, should be respected. The family further argued that the matter was being politicised.
The legal dispute did not end at the initial stage. The matter has since been escalated to the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, where it remains pending. The appellate court is expected to determine the broader question of whether the Zambian government has the legal standing to compel repatriation and override the family’s preferences.
Now, the subpoena issued by SAPS introduces a criminal investigative dimension to the saga. While police have not publicly confirmed that a formal criminal case has been opened, the demand for a post mortem suggests that authorities consider the poisoning allegations serious enough to warrant forensic examination.
It is not yet clear who lodged the complaint or what evidence, if any, prompted the move. However, in cases involving high profile figures, South African law enforcement agencies are obligated to investigate credible claims of foul play. A post mortem examination would involve toxicological analysis and other forensic tests designed to determine the cause and manner of death.
Legal experts say the subpoena compels Two Mountains Burial Services to cooperate fully with investigators. Failure to comply could result in legal consequences for the funeral service provider. However, SAPS has emphasised that the body will be returned promptly after the procedure, suggesting that authorities are mindful of the sensitivity surrounding the matter.
The development is likely to intensify public interest and political debate in Zambia. Since his death, Lungu’s legacy has remained a subject of sharp division. Supporters remember him as a leader who championed infrastructure development and maintained close ties with regional partners. Critics point to economic challenges and governance concerns that marked the latter part of his presidency.
The possibility of poisoning, if substantiated, would dramatically alter the narrative surrounding his passing. Conversely, if forensic findings confirm natural causes, the results could help quell speculation and bring a measure of closure to a tense chapter.
For now, both the legal battle over burial arrangements and the police investigation appear to be unfolding simultaneously. The Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision will determine where Lungu is ultimately laid to rest, while the post mortem may answer lingering questions about how he died.
As the situation develops, it remains a delicate intersection of law, politics and family grief. The coming weeks are expected to bring further clarity on whether the former president’s final chapter will be defined by legal precedent, forensic findings, or reconciliation between the state and his family.