A South African court has ruled that the Zambian government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu and give him a state funeral, despite strong opposition from his family.
Lungu, who died in South Africa in June at the age of 68 following an undisclosed illness, had been at the center of a bitter dispute between his relatives and the Zambian state. His family had insisted on a private burial in South Africa, claiming it was his wish that current President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral. However, the Zambian government argued that Lungu, as a former head of state, belonged to the nation.
On Thursday, the Pretoria High Court sided with Zambia, with Judge Aubrey Ledwaba ruling that authorities were “entitled to repatriate the body of the late president” and ordering the family to “immediately surrender” it.
The decision visibly upset Lungu’s family, who were present in court. Wails were heard as Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo D Kabesha, addressed the media outside. He stressed that the court’s decision was not a victory for the government but rather “what makes good sense.”
“When you are the father of the nation, you can’t restrict yourself to your immediate family,” said Kabesha, adding that the ruling was a “learning curve” for future leaders.
The disagreement followed initial consensus between the government and the family that Lungu would receive a state funeral. But tensions reportedly escalated over funeral arrangements, prompting the family to plan a burial in South Africa instead.
Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 until 2021, when he was defeated by Hichilema in a landslide election. Although he initially retired from politics, he made a political comeback in the years that followed.
