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South African court denies burial appeal bid by family of former Zambian president Lungu
South African High Court dismissed the Lungu family's appeal, affirming the Zambian government's right to repatriate former President Edgar Lungu's body for a state funeral under Zambian law.
- In August 2025, Pretoria's High Court rejected the request to bury the late Zambian leader Edgar Lungu in South Africa, ruling that he should be laid to rest in his native country.
- This ruling followed Lungu's death on June 5, 2025, in a South African hospital where he was receiving specialized treatment, and centered on an earlier judgment granting Zambia the right to repatriate his remains for a state funeral.
- The family cited political tensions with current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who is Lungu's rival, and sought to bar Hichilema from attending the funeral by proposing a burial in Johannesburg.
- The court dismissed the appeal, finding that it was unlikely to succeed, underscoring that under Zambian law, an individual's personal wishes cannot take precedence over the state's entitlement to conduct a state funeral, and also rejected the family’s attempt to bypass usual procedures by appealing directly to the Constitutional Court.
- As a result, if the family does not pursue further appeals, the Zambian government may proceed with repatriating Lungu's remains for burial in Zambia, reinforcing the state's authority in such matters.
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South Africa: court denies Lungu family appeal, orders burial in Zambia
Pretoria's High Court has denied an appeal by the family of late Zambian president Edgar Lungu, who wanted him to be buried in South Africa. According to the court, Lungu should however be buried in his home country.
·Pointe-Noire, Congo
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News24 | Lungu family dealt another blow as High Court upholds ruling on late president’s remains
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an application by former Zambian president Edgar Lungu’s family to overturn its previous ruling, which ordered his remains to be repatriated for a state funeral in Zambia.
·South Africa
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Left
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left
40% Left
L 40%
C 30%
R 30%
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