The High Court in Pretoria has ordered that the body of the late Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, be repatriated back to his home country for a state funeral.
This is after the tug-of-war court challenge launched by the Zambian government two months ago, that barred his initial burial by the family in Johannesburg.
The family argued that it was the last wish of Lungu not to be buried in his homeland, following his well published clashes with the current administration, led by his nemesis,
The Zambian government however argued that there was no evidence to suggest that he wanted to be buried in South Africa, and as former state president, he belongs to the nation, and not his family.
“The applications to strike out are dismissed, and no order is to be paid.
“The application for condonation and the counter application are dismissed, no order is to cost.
“It is ordered that the applicant is entitled to repatriate the body of the late president Edgar Lungu for a state funeral, and burial thereafter in embassy Lusaka,” ruled judge Aubrey Ledwaba
He also ordered that the court issue a sheriff letter to the morgue where Lungu’s mortal remains are kept, to hand over his remains to representatives of the Zambian High Court, to enable the applicants to repatriate his body.
“Family representative to be present when the body is handed over to the Zambian government.
The former president’s physician, aide and two family members accompanied the coffin during the repatriation process,” said Ledwaba.
Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, welcomed the judgment, describing it as sound, and as it is in the public interests that the former head of state be buried in his homeland.
“It’s not winning, you don’t win over a burial, it’s just what makes a good sense that the former president of Zambia, should be buried in his own country, the country where he was president,” said Kabesha.
Furthermore, the Attorney-General said that the late president is revered in his homeland, and Zambians must be accorded a chance to bury him.
“If you go to Zambia, they call him the father of the nation.
“When you’re the father of the nation, you can’t restrict yourself to your immediate family only.
“The man belongs to the nation, and he’s going to be buried in Zambia,” said Kabesha.
Lungu’s widow and other family members sobbed uncontrollably in court after the judgment and have not yet indicated whether they will appeal today’s judgment.
