The Zambian government has moved to execute an August 2025 judgment by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, which entitles it to repatriate the remains of former President Edgar Lungu for a state funeral and burial in Zambia.
The move follows the lapse of an appeal bid by the Lungu family in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The appeal lapsed after the family failed to meet agreed deadlines set with the Zambian government under an expedited timeline approved by the court.
Lungu died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, after receiving medical treatment in Pretoria.
His burial has been delayed for months due to an ongoing legal dispute between his family and the Zambian government.
In its August 2025 ruling, the High Court ordered that Lungu’s body be released to the Zambian government for repatriation, affirming the state’s right to conduct a funeral in line with protocols for a former head of state.
Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba said at the time that the government was entitled to proceed with a state funeral.
The family opposed the decision, arguing that Lungu had wished to be buried privately in South Africa without government involvement.
After losing both the main application and a subsequent bid for leave to appeal in the High Court, the family petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal.
However, that bid has now lapsed.
In a subsequent enforcement order, the Gauteng High Court has on Tuesday, April 22 directed that the body be returned to Two Mountains Burial Services or another mortuary nominated by the applicants.
Several respondents were also ordered to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of court.
The court further ordered that certain parties be restrained from transferring the body contrary to its directive, and set May 21, 2026, as the return date for the matter, unless brought forward on 48 hours’ notice.
Despite the latest developments, it remains unclear when the repatriation process will begin.
Lungu’s body remains in South Africa.
IOL Politics
