In a groundbreaking ruling, the Pretoria high court confirmed that Zambia's government can proceed with the repatriation of Edgar Lungu's remains, who passed away in June at the age of 68. This decision was met with resistance from Lungu's family, who wanted a private burial in South Africa, citing the late president's personal wishes. Judge Aubrey Ledwaba emphasized that the interests of the state outweigh personal preferences in such matters.

The legal tussle stems from a historical rivalry between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu's family asserting that he had expressly indicated his preference for Hichilema not to attend his funeral. The court's decision mandated that the family surrender the body immediately to Zambian authorities, although no costs for the urgent application were addressed.

Initially, there was an agreement between Lungu's family and the government concerning a state funeral, but discussions soured, leading the family to lean towards a burial in South Africa instead. Lungu's political career spanned from 2015 to 2021, concluding with a significant electoral defeat to Hichilema, after which he stepped away from the political spotlight only to later re-engage.

As this story continues to develop, updates will follow, reflecting the ongoing dialogues and disputes regarding Lungu's funeral arrangements.