Zambia's Government Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, says it should be presumed that acceptance of conditions under the Former President Benefits Act by Edgar Lungu means he intended to be given a state funeral in accordance with Zambian customs and traditions.

He argued that the late Lungu did not specify in his will how or where he wished to be buried. 

Kabesha said Lungu was never disqualified from receiving benefits under the Former President's Benefits 'Act, explaining that his entitlement was merely suspended when he re-entered active politics, and that suspension ceased upon his death.

As a result, the state asserts that it regained the right to provide a state funeral, fully funded and conducted in line with national customs and traditions.

The Attorney General explained that the decision to take the Lungu impasse to court was to stop the burial and allow both parties to find a solution.

Appearing on SABC, family lawyer Makebi Zulu insisted there is no room for dialogue. 

The Zambian government insists it wants the remains of late former President Edgar Lungu to be buried in Zambia.