The Zambian Government has announced that the burial of former President Edgar Lungu is now entirely a private matter for his family following a major legal setback in South Africa.
This comes after South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) overturned an earlier Pretoria High Court ruling that had permitted the Zambian Government to repatriate Lungu’s remains for a State funeral and burial in Zambia. The Lungu family had challenged the decision, arguing that the late former president wished to be buried outside Zambia.
In a statement issued after the ruling, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha confirmed that Government would not pursue any further legal action and would respect the court’s decision.
“We will not be exercising our right to appeal to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. In line with today’s judgment, this is now a private matter for the Lungu family to proceed with their desired burial in the Republic of South Africa,” Kabesha said.
The Attorney General explained that Government’s intention throughout the past year had been to honour the late former president in the same manner as Zambia’s previous heads of state, all of whom were laid to rest at Embassy Park with full State honours.
Kabesha pointed to former presidents Levy Mwanawasa, Frederick Chiluba, Michael Sata, Kenneth Kaunda, and Rupiah Banda, all of whom were buried at Embassy Park despite family preferences in some cases. He argued that these decisions established a national precedent aimed at preserving the dignity of the presidency and providing a place where Zambians could collectively honour their leaders.
Despite expressing disappointment with the outcome, Government said it respects the family’s position and extended its condolences once again.
“Unfortunately, this is not to be, as the family has decided to bury him in South Africa,” Kabesha said, adding that Zambia had hoped to bring its Sixth President home just as it has assisted other nations in repatriating their citizens for burial.
The ruling effectively brings an end to the lengthy legal battle over where Edgar Lungu should be buried, clearing the way for his family to proceed with burial arrangements in South Africa.
