Just hours after the Zambian government claimed it had taken possession of the body of ex-President Edgar Lungu, a South African court has ordered its return, complicating the situation further. This marks the latest development in a lengthy 10-month dispute over Lungu’s burial amid an ongoing feud between Lungu and President Hakainde Hichilema.
The Zambian government has asserted that former heads of state should be honored and buried appropriately at the presidential burial ground in Lusaka. However, Lungu's family insists on a private burial after negotiations regarding the funeral arrangements failed.
In August, a South African high court had previously ruled in favor of the Zambian government, allowing them to repatriate Lungu’s body for a state funeral, a decision that distressed his relatives.
After claiming the body on Wednesday, Zambia's government stated it was formally transferred to them by the South African court, as Lungu’s family was unable to continue with their appeal. However, just hours later, the same court ordered the Zambian government to return the body until a hearing set for 21 May.
The situation is further complicated as Two Mountains Burial Services, the funeral home originally holding Lungu's remains, has reportedly declined to accept the body, prompting Lungu's family to seek alternative arrangements. Spokesman Makebi Zulu from Lungu's family has contended that proper procedures in the appeals process were followed, contradicting the claims made by the Zambian government.
Lungu, who died at the age of 68 from an undisclosed illness, had previously expressed that he did not want Hichilema to attend his funeral or be near his body. This ongoing saga encapsulates the tensions that have persisted in Zambian politics following Lungu's presidency from 2015 to 2021.
The Zambian government has asserted that former heads of state should be honored and buried appropriately at the presidential burial ground in Lusaka. However, Lungu's family insists on a private burial after negotiations regarding the funeral arrangements failed.
In August, a South African high court had previously ruled in favor of the Zambian government, allowing them to repatriate Lungu’s body for a state funeral, a decision that distressed his relatives.
After claiming the body on Wednesday, Zambia's government stated it was formally transferred to them by the South African court, as Lungu’s family was unable to continue with their appeal. However, just hours later, the same court ordered the Zambian government to return the body until a hearing set for 21 May.
The situation is further complicated as Two Mountains Burial Services, the funeral home originally holding Lungu's remains, has reportedly declined to accept the body, prompting Lungu's family to seek alternative arrangements. Spokesman Makebi Zulu from Lungu's family has contended that proper procedures in the appeals process were followed, contradicting the claims made by the Zambian government.
Lungu, who died at the age of 68 from an undisclosed illness, had previously expressed that he did not want Hichilema to attend his funeral or be near his body. This ongoing saga encapsulates the tensions that have persisted in Zambian politics following Lungu's presidency from 2015 to 2021.
