Edgar Lungu, the former president of Zambia, has been lying in a morgue in South Africa for eight months following his death on June 5 of last year. The delay in his burial stems from a disagreement between Lungu's family and the current Zambian president, Hakainde Hichilema. Hichilema, a long-time political rival of Lungu, wishes to provide a state funeral for the former president; however, Lungu's family refuses to allow this. They claim that Lungu expressed a desire on his deathbed for Hichilema to not come near him even after death, citing Zambian cultural beliefs that say such proximity can bring misfortune.

In addition to family objections, a South African court has ordered that Lungu's remains be returned to Zambia, but his family has yet to comply with this decision. The situation has created a significant, high-profile standoff that reflects the ongoing political tensions between the current administration and the former leadership, as well as broader cultural practices regarding death and burial in Zambia. A burial site in Lusaka is reportedly waiting for Lungu's body, but without resolution from the family, it remains unoccupied.

The implications of this prolonged standoff are profound, not only for the family and the political landscape in Zambia but also for the public perception of leadership and respect for cultural practices. The situation highlights the importance of resolving such disputes amicably, especially for a figure of Lungu's stature within Zambian society, to ensure, in both a political and social sense, that he is laid to rest in accordance with his legacy and the cultural expectations of the people.