In a dramatic turn of events, a South African court halted the burial of Zambia’s late President Edgar Lungu moments before the private ceremony was set to begin. The move follows a heated dispute between Lungu’s family and the Zambian government, which insists the former leader should receive a state funeral at home. Tensions stem from Lungu’s bitter history with President Hakainde Hichilema, whose attendance Lungu reportedly opposed. The Zambian government had reached an agreement with Lungu’s family that would have seen him repatriated for a state burial in Lusaka. However, the family decided to bury him in South Africa after alleging that Hichilema’s government had breached the agreement. With both sides now headed for court, a final decision on where and how Lungu will be laid to rest is not expected before August.
BBC
