A South African appeals court rules that the family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu should choose where he is buried, overturning an earlier decision that would have allowed the Zambian government to repatriate his body for a state funeral in Zambia. The ruling follows a legal dispute after Lungu died in South Africa about a year ago while receiving medical treatment. Multiple outlets report that the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision effectively ends or narrows the possibility of further legal action from Zambia and is viewed by Lungu’s relatives as a victory.
The case centers on burial arrangements and authority over final decisions regarding Lungu’s remains. While one lower-court outcome had supported Zambia’s efforts toward repatriation and burial in Lusaka, the appeals court ruling shifts that authority to the family. Media coverage also notes that the long-running dispute has attracted international attention and is now likely to conclude, depending on whether any additional challenges are pursued.
