A South African court has ruled that Zambia’s late former president Edgar Lungu must be buried in his homeland, ending a bitter two-month dispute between the Zambian government and his family. Lungu, who died in South Africa in June while receiving medical treatment, had requested that his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, not attend his funeral. To honor his wishes, his family had sought a private burial in Johannesburg. Following the court’s decision, Lungu’s body will be repatriated to Lusaka for a state funeral. The court emphasized that a former president’s state honors outweigh personal preferences, sparking emotional reactions from Lungu’s tearful sister. His family has appealed the decision. The ruling intensifies Zambia’s political tensions, with Lungu’s family facing corruption charges under Hichilema’s administration.
Aljazeera
