Lungu Family Appeals South African Court Ruling on Repatriation of His Body To Zambia

The family of late former President Edgar Lungu of Zambia has filed an injunction, challenging a Pretoria High Court’s ruling that the his body should be given to the Zambian government to be repatriated to Zambia against his will.

Former First Lady Esther Lungu and other family members have lodged an appeal, arguing that the court erred in granting the Zambian Government’s request for repatriation.

In a judgment delivered at 11:30 AM on Friday, August 8, 2025, judge Aubrey Phago Ledwaba of the Gauteng Division ordered that Mr. Lungu’s remains be returned to Zambia for burial, in line with legal precedent and established diplomatic protocols.

However, the family contends that the ruling is based on a misinterpretation of communications between the parties. They claim no final agreement had been reached between the family and the government regarding who would speak at Mr. Lungu’s state funeral.

“The documents relied upon by the court do not reflect a concluded agreement, as they explicitly state that further consultation would be required to determine who would speak at the events,” reads part of the appeal.

The family also challenged the court’s finding that lawyer Makebi Zulu had confirmed an agreement on behalf of the state. They argue that no such confirmation was made and that the court misapplied the facts.

Further, they assert that the late President Lungu was clear in his wishes: those who showed no concern for him in life should not take part in mourning him in death.

“President Lungu made it clear that those who neglected his well-being during his lifetime should not be permitted to pretend to care after his passing,” the family’s notice of appeal stated.

The family also emphasized that their current actions are rooted in assurances from the Zambian Government that the late president’s wishes would be honored and that trust would not be betrayed.

Bertha Lungu, the elder sister of the late president, broke down in tears in court following the ruling.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo D. Kabesha, responded to the verdict by stating that the ruling was not a political victory but a matter of national interest.

“When you are the father of the nation, you can’t restrict yourself to your immediate family,” Kabesha said.

Mr. Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021, when he lost the general election to current President Hakainde Hichilema. Though he initially stepped back from politics, he later attempted a political comeback before his death.

Source:Africa Publicity