South African court rules that Zambia can repatriate body of ex-president

A South African court has ruled that Zambia’s government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu and give him a state funeral, despite his family’s opposition.

The Pretoria high court ruled in favour of the Zambian state, which had previously applied to block the family’s plans to bury him privately in South Africa, where he died in June.

The state, at the time, argued that personal wishes should not override the greater public interest.

The dispute follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu’s family saying he had indicated that Hichilema should not attend his funeral.

Handing down the ruling, judge Aubrey Ledwaba said the Zambian government was “entitled to repatriate the body of the late president” and ordered his family to “immediately surrender” it to authorities.

No order was made on the costs of the urgent application.

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