Despite earlier agreements on a state funeral, disagreements about the arrangements led the family to seek a burial in South Africa. Lungu served as Zambia's president from 2015 until he was defeated in 2021. Further updates on this breaking news story will follow.
South African Court Grants Zambia Right to Repatriate Ex-President Lungu's Body
South African Court Grants Zambia Right to Repatriate Ex-President Lungu's Body
A Pretoria court has ruled in favor of Zambia regarding the repatriation of former President Edgar Lungu's remains, despite family objections.
In a significant ruling, the Pretoria high court has allowed the Zambian government to repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu for a state funeral, disregarding his family's wishes for a private burial in South Africa. Lungu's family had requested control over arrangements following his death in June, but the Zambian state argued the greater public interest should prevail. The ruling follows tensions between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu's family asserting he preferred Hichilema not attend his funeral. The judge directed the family to surrender the body immediately to authorities.
