Pretoria: A South African court has ruled that Zambia’s government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu and conduct a state funeral, despite opposition from his family. Lungus family had expressed their desire to bury him privately in South Africa, where he passed away in June, but were left visibly distraught by the Pretoria high court’s decision.
According to BBC, the Zambian state welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that while it mourned with the former statesman’s family, Lungu “belongs to the nation.” Lungu, who died from an undisclosed illness at 68, had his family wanting control over the funeral arrangements, including his body’s repatriation. However, Zambian authorities sought control over the arrangements.
Initially, there was an agreement between the government and the family for a state funeral, but disagreements over specific arrangements led the family to opt for a burial in South Africa. Zambian attorney general Mulilo D Kabesha, addressing the court’s decision amid the family’s protests, stated that the ruling was not a victory for the government but rather “what makes good sense.”
Kabesha noted, “When you are the father of the nation, you can’t restrict yourself to your immediate family.” He praised the court for its “sound judgment” and acknowledged the family’s right to appeal, describing the situation as a “learning curve” for those aspiring to the highest office.
Edgar Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 until 2021, when he was defeated by Hichilema by a significant margin. Following his electoral defeat, Lungu initially stepped back from politics before later returning.