Repatriation of Lungu's remains to Zambia for burial paused as family challenges court order
The high court had ruled that there was an existing valid agreement between the family and the state to have the former president’s remains repatriated and for him to have a state funeral.
FILE: Zambia's former president Edgar Lungu. Photo: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The repatriation of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s remains has been paused by his family’s bid to challenge a Pretoria High Court ruling that his remains be repatriated to Lusaka for burial.
The decision was made on Friday after a two-month court battle, with the family insisting to have the former head of state laid to rest in South Africa.
The family has now approached the court for leave to appeal its judgment in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
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The high court had ruled that there was an existing valid agreement between the family and the state to have the former president’s remains repatriated and for him to have a state funeral.
But the family has disputed this, arguing that in the meeting referred to by the court, there was no consensus reached.
The high court had ruled that the Lungu family hand over his remains to a representative of the state but that order is now stayed pending the application for leave to appeal.
If granted, the battle between the former head of state’s family and the Zambian government will move to the supreme court.