The South African Supreme Court of Appeal has set aside a lower court order directing that former President Edgar Lungu’s body be repatriated to Zambia for a state funeral.
The Lungu family challenged the order, arguing that it did not reflect the former president’s wishes.
Before the court proceedings began, the family had already made arrangements for Mr. Lungu to be accorded a private funeral in South Africa.
Mr. Lungu died on June 5, 2025, and is yet to be buried.
During the latest court proceedings, the family of former President Edgar Lungu told the South African Supreme Court of Appeal that they do not want the Zambian government to dictate where he should be buried.
Family lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that if the Lungu family decides to bury the former president in South Africa, they do not want any interference from the Zambian government.
He added that even if the family chooses to bury Mr. Lungu in Zambia, the decision should remain entirely theirs.
By Darius Choonya
