Repatriation of Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s Remains Stalled Amid Funeral Dispute
JOHANNESBURG – The body of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu remains in a South African mortuary five months after his death, locked in a protracted standoff between his grieving family and the current government over the terms of his burial, despite a court order authorizing its repatriation.
The situation has created a political and diplomatic impasse, delaying a state funeral for the former leader and leaving his remains in limbo. The stalemate centers on disagreements over funeral arrangements and interpretations of Lungu’s final wishes.
In a ruling this August, the Pretoria High Court sided with the Zambian government, affirming its right to repatriate the former president’s body and instructing the Lungu family to hand over the remains to state officials. The court’s decision was intended to pave the way for a dignified state-assisted burial in Zambia.
However, the family has resisted the transfer, citing unresolved disputes with President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration. While the government has committed to providing a state funeral, sources close to the family indicate that the specific arrangements and ceremonies are a point of contention. The family has also invoked the former president’s “last wishes” as a reason for their position, though the details have not been made public.
The prolonged delay has turned the repatriation process into a sensitive political issue, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the legacy of the former president and the current government. The situation has drawn public concern, with many citizens expressing a desire for a swift and respectful resolution that allows the nation to mourn and honor its former leader.
Despite the clear legal directive from the South African court, the physical transfer of Edgar Lungu’s body cannot proceed until the two parties bridge their differences. For now, the former president’s final journey home remains on hold, awaiting an agreement that has proven elusive for months.
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