South African Court Orders Return of Edgar Lungu's Body
Just hours after the Zambian government announced it had taken possession of former President Edgar Lungu's body, a court in South Africa, where Lungu passed away, has ordered the body to be returned.
This development marks the latest chapter in a 10-month dispute regarding the disposition of Lungu's remains, stemming from a longstanding conflict between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema.
Dispute Over Burial Location
The Zambian government has consistently maintained that, as a former head of state, Edgar Lungu should be honoured with a burial alongside his predecessors in the designated presidential burial ground located in Lusaka, the nation's capital.
Conversely, Lungu's family has expressed a desire for a private burial, following unsuccessful negotiations with the government concerning funeral arrangements.
Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings
In August of the previous year, the South African High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of the Zambian government, permitting the repatriation of Lungu's body and authorizing a state funeral. This ruling visibly distressed Lungu's relatives present in the courtroom.
The family subsequently filed an appeal against this decision. However, in an unexpected announcement late on Wednesday night, the Zambian government declared that Lungu's remains had been "formally transferred" to the state by the South African court.
According to the statement, the transfer occurred after Lungu's family were unable to "proceed with their case" at the appeals court.
Despite this, within hours, the same South African court issued an order directing the Zambian government to return the body.
Complications with Funeral Services
Adding to the complexity, Two Mountains Burial Services, the funeral home originally holding Lungu's remains, reportedly stated it will no longer accept the body.
In an interview on a Zambian YouTube news channel, Makebi Zulu, a spokesman for Lungu's family, contested the claim that the appeals process had lapsed, asserting that the appropriate legal procedures had been followed.
"The correct procedure had been followed," said Makebi Zulu.
Background and Political Context
Edgar Lungu died at the age of 68 from an undisclosed illness at a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa's capital. His death triggered confusion, as mourners received conflicting information from both the Zambian government and Lungu's political party, the Patriotic Front (PF).
Two separate mourning periods were declared, and at one point, there were competing condolence books.
Lungu served as Zambia's president from 2015 until 2021 and had numerous disputes with Hakainde Hichilema, who was the opposition leader for many years before ultimately defeating Lungu in an election.
Following Lungu's death, his family stated that the former president did not want President Hichilema to attend his funeral or to be "anywhere near" his body.
"He did not want Hichilema to be at his funeral or anywhere near his body," the family said.
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