A South African courtroom has halted plans to bury former Zambian President Edgar Lungu at a non-public ceremony simply because it was about to begin.
The information was solely introduced to mourners in South Africa after a funeral mass had already completed.
That is the newest twist in a row between the federal government and Lungu’s household over his burial, after the household opted for a non-public ceremony in South Africa, reasonably than a full state funeral at residence.
The Zambian authorities had filed an pressing case within the Pretoria Excessive Courtroom searching for to cease the burial deliberate by his household.
The courtroom stated that the funeral wouldn’t go forward following an “settlement between the events” nonetheless it seems that any funeral will not occur till August on the earliest.
The dispute follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu’s household saying he had indicated that Hichilema shouldn’t attend his funeral.
Following Lungu’s demise in South Africa aged 68, the household needed to be in command of the funeral preparations, together with the repatriation of his physique, however the Zambian authorities sought to take management.
The federal government and his household later agreed he would have a state funeral earlier than relations broke down over the exact preparations, prompting the household to go for a burial in South Africa.
President Hichilema has since argued that Lungu, as a former president, “belongs to the nation of Zambia” and ought to be buried within the nation.
Mourners have been solely advised in regards to the delay after the funeral mass had completed [Nomsa Maseko / BBC]
The Pretoria courtroom gave Zambian lawyer basic Mulilo D Kabesha till 4 July to submit his “amended discover of movement” in assist of Lungu’s repatriation to Zambia. His household has till 11 July to file their opposing papers.
“This matter shall be heard as a particular movement on the 4th of August 2025,” the courtroom stated. The prices of the pressing software shall be decided then.
The Zambian authorities argues that non-public needs shouldn’t override the higher public curiosity, citing the case of founding President Kenneth Kaunda.
In 2021, Kaunda’s household stated he needed to be laid to relaxation subsequent to his spouse and never on the website designated by the federal government.
Nonetheless, the federal government went forward and buried Kaunda at Embassy Memorial Park in Lusaka.
The present row over Lungu’s burial underscores the tense relationship between him and his successor, which performed out in life and continues even in demise.
When Lungu was president, Hichilema was locked up for over 100 days on treason expenses after Hichilema’s motorcade allegedly refused to present method for him.
Extra Zambia tales from the BBC:
[Getty Images/BBC]
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