A South African court on Friday ruled that the remains of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu must be returned to Zambia for a state funeral, ending a contentious legal battle between Lungu’s family and the Zambian government.
The Pretoria High Court sided with the Zambian state, which had sought to prevent a private burial in South Africa.
Lungu died in Johannesburg in June while receiving medical treatment.
The court ordered that Lungu be buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka, the official resting place for Zambian heads of state.
The ruling follows weeks of dispute over the late president’s final rites.
Lungu’s family had opposed repatriation, citing his alleged wish to be buried in South Africa and to exclude his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, from the funeral.
The Zambian government argued that national interest and tradition warranted a state funeral in Zambia.
JN/APA