Supreme Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Lungu Family in Burial Dispute

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, South Africa, has ruled that the family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu may bury his remains in South Africa, overturning a previous high court decision.

The legal dispute between the Lungu family and the Zambian government over the burial location is ongoing, and the body remains in a morgue in South Africa.

Background and Timeline

Edgar Lungu, who served as President of Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died at age 68 in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, due to an undisclosed illness. Following his death, a legal dispute arose between his family and the Zambian government regarding the location of his burial.

• The Lungu family stated Lungu did not want President Hakainde Hichilema to attend his funeral or be near his body. The family requested a private burial.
• The Zambian government maintained that Lungu, as a former head of state, should receive a state funeral and be buried at the special presidential burial ground in Lusaka.

Legal Proceedings

In August, the South African High Court in Pretoria ruled in favor of the Zambian government, allowing repatriation of the body for a state funeral. In April, the Zambian government announced the remains had been formally transferred. Following this, the same court ordered the return of the body pending further proceedings.

The Lungu family subsequently appealed the ruling. The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein has now ruled in favor of the family, granting permission to bury the former president in South Africa.

It is unclear whether this ruling resolves the legal dispute. The Zambian government's legal representatives are awaiting instructions on the next steps.