by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AN appellate court in Pretoria, South Africa has adjourned to Monday the appeal by the family of late former Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, against his repatriation.
The family is appealing the recent ruling by the High Court in the same city, a decision which favoured the government of President Hakainde Hichilema.
It was anticipated the appellate court would reach a decision on the appeal on Friday, paving way for the burial of Lungu, who passed away on South African soil in June, when he was seeking medical treatment.
However, counsel to the appellant and counsel to the respondent conferred for an adjournment.
The appellate court is to determine whether the trial court erred at law, as advanced by the appellant, which is the Lungu family.
The matter has driven a wedge between the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the main opposition Patriotic Front (PF) that Lungu led.
On Friday, the ruling party responded, “UPND supports the government position of continued engagement with the former first family to give Lungu a dignified send off.”
On the day, South Africa’s prominent Senior Counsel, Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, joined the high-profile case.
He has appeared in some of South Africa’s most consequential legal battles including state capture, that allegedly occurred under the then president Jacob Zuma.
His recent role at the International Court of Justice, representing South Africa in its genocide case against Israel, enhanced his reputation.
PF believes the Lungu case could now become a defining test of constitutional governance in the Southern African region.
“With Ngcukaitobi on board, the courtroom drama and legal facts is set to intensify,” PF stated.
– CAJ News