Johannesburg, South Africa – The burial of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was abruptly halted today following an order by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, pending a full determination on whether his remains should be repatriated to Zambia.
The ruling, made by agreement between disputing parties, comes just hours before Lungu was to be laid to rest at a private burial ground in Johannesburg, sparking widespread public debate and diplomatic concern over the unprecedented legal battle involving a former head of state.
Sources close to the matter indicate that a dispute between members of Lungu’s family and the Zambian state prompted the court intervention. While some family members reportedly supported a quiet burial in South Africa, others backed by Zambian government representatives insisted that the late president be returned home to Zambia for a state funeral befitting his office and legacy.
“This is not just about burial, it is a constitutional, diplomatic, and cultural dilemma wrapped in legal robes.”
The case is raising fresh questions about the role of foreign courts in determining the final rites of national leaders and the sovereignty of state matters.
Though the South African government has remained officially tight-lipped, insiders suggest the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is “closely monitoring the situation,” while Zambian authorities are reportedly pushing for an urgent resolution in favour of repatriation.
Lungu, Zambia’s sixth president, served from 2015 until his electoral defeat in 2021. His presidency was marked by controversial constitutional amendments, allegations of authoritarianism, and economic challenges, yet he also commanded a loyal following for his nationalistic rhetoric and infrastructural projects.
The High Court’s decision effectively postpones the burial indefinitely until a ruling is made on the main application, whether the remains of President Lungu must be returned to Lusaka for a public burial or left to rest in Johannesburg, per the arrangement said to have been made by some members of his family.
The court has not set a date for the full hearing but emphasized the sensitive and urgent nature of the matter.
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