The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has won a legal appeal allowing his burial in South Africa, overturning an earlier ruling that would have permitted the Zambian government to repatriate his remains. The judgment by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal effectively ends a prolonged dispute between Lungu’s family and the administration of his successor, Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government had argued that Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, should receive a state funeral and be buried alongside former presidents in Lusaka. Lungu’s family, however, sought a private burial, citing Lungu’s wish that he did not want Hichilema near his body or funeral. Zambia’s government said it disagreed with the decision but would not pursue the matter further, bringing a highly public and emotional dispute to a close.
BBC