The Pretoria high court has officially sanctioned the Zambian government’s request to repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu following his death in June from an undisclosed illness at age 68. This controversial ruling allows for a state funeral in Zambia, despite objections from Lungu's family, who preferred to conduct a private burial in South Africa where he passed away.
The court's decision came after Zambian state lawyers contended that personal wishes should give way to national interest in honoring a former leader. Judge Aubrey Ledwaba stated that the Zambian government was “entitled to repatriate the body of the late president” and mandated the family to “immediately surrender” his remains to the authorities. No costs were allocated for the urgent application.
Family members previously asserted that Lungu had expressed a desire for specific funeral arrangements, indicating that his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, should not attend his funeral. This assertion reflects ongoing tensions between Lungu and Hichilema, who succeeded him in a decisive electoral victory in 2021, prompting Lungu's exit from politics.
While an initial agreement had been established for a state funeral, subsequent disagreements led the family to pursue alternative plans in South Africa, igniting a dispute over the arrangements. This legal battle underscores deeper political divides in Zambia and the complexities surrounding public versus private commemorations for political figures. Further updates on this developing story are anticipated shortly.
