by AKANI CHAUKE
PRETORIA, (CAJ News) – THERE has been a dramatic turn of events in South Africa where the High Court has ordered the repatriation of the body of former Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, for burial in his homeland.
On Friday, the court in Pretoria ruled in favour of the government, for repatriation, but the family of the deceased has appealed the ruling.
Thus, another standoff is underway, at a time the court ruling was anticipated to settle the deadlock between the Lungus and the government on whether the deceased would be buried in South Africa as per family’s wish or if he would be interred in Zambia as the government insisted.
Lungu passed away in South Africa on June 5.
He was receiving medical attention and at the time of his death, he was at loggerheads with the government of President Hakainde Hichilema, hence his family sought to bury him in South Africa.
This triggered a deadlock, as all former Zambian presidents are buried at a national shrine.
On Friday, Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba delivered the ruling that Lungu be buried in Zambia, citing that the public interest overrides personal wishes when it comes to the burial of a former head of state.
Ledwaba was part of a full bench of three judges.
The court ruled in favour of the repatriation, to give Lungu a state funeral, despite the family’s opposition.
Widow, Esther Lungu, is the first applicant in the appeal.
Johannesburg-based Masehele Attorneys is representing the Lungu family.
“The full court erred in granting relief that effectively ignores the express wishes of the late President Lungu, in allowing the current president to preside over his funeral and burial,” the law firm stated in the appeal.
The Lungu family had insisted that the former president was against Hichilema presiding over these rites.
Zambia’s sixth president Lungu, who died aged 68, was head of state from 2015 to 2021 when Hichilema defeated him. They were bitter rivals.
– CAJ News