A recent ruling by the Pretoria high court allows Zambia to proceed with the repatriation of former President Edgar Lungu's body, enabling plans for a state funeral. This decision comes in light of familial disputes and political tensions surrounding Lungu's legacy.
Zambia Granted Permission to Repatriate Ex-President Lungu's Body
Zambia Granted Permission to Repatriate Ex-President Lungu's Body
A South African court has ruled in favor of Zambia's efforts to repatriate former president Edgar Lungu’s remains, despite family opposition.
In a significant legal ruling, a South African court has granted Zambia's government the right to repatriate the body of its late ex-president, Edgar Lungu, and hold a state funeral for him. This decision arrives even as Lungu's family expresses opposition, having preferred a private burial in South Africa, where Lungu passed away in June.
The Pretoria high court's ruling, delivered by Judge Aubrey Ledwaba, emphasized that the Zambian state's interests supersede personal family wishes. The court mandated Lungu’s family to "immediately surrender" his remains to Zambian authorities for repatriation.
Initially, Lungu's family had control over funeral arrangements following his death from an undisclosed illness at the age of 68. However, following a previous agreement for a state funeral, conflicts between the family and the Zambian government arose, particularly regarding the attendance of current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, which the family claimed Lungu wished to avoid.
Lungu, who served as president from 2015 until his electoral defeat in 2021, had receded from the political scene but expressed intentions of returning later. The complex dynamics surrounding his death and subsequent funeral arrangements reflect ongoing political tensions in Zambia, particularly between his administration and that of Hichilema.
While this is a developing story, updates will be provided as more details emerge about the arrangements for Lungu's funeral and his impact on Zambian politics. For timely updates, readers can follow @BBCBreaking on X or use the BBC News App.
