The Gauteng High Court in South Africa has ruled that former Zambian President Edgar Lungu must be buried in his home country, ending a long dispute between his family and the Zambian government.
Lungu passed away in early June at the age of 68 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa. His family initially wanted to bury him in South Africa, where he died. However, the government of Zambia insisted that he be repatriated for burial at home.
The court decision supports Zambia’s position, allowing the government to bring Lungu’s body back to the country. This paves the way for a State funeral, honoring his role as a former president.
Before his death, Lungu reportedly expressed his wish that his political rival and successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, should not attend his funeral. The ruling does not address this request, focusing solely on the burial location.
This ruling settles the legal conflict over Lungu’s final resting place and enables Zambia to proceed with official funeral arrangements. The decision highlights the importance of respecting national protocols in handling the deaths of prominent public figures.