Edgar Lungu family's application for leave to appeal ruling on his burial postponed
The lawyers for both parties agreed to discuss the matter out of court on Friday and report back on Monday.
FILE: The late Zambian President Edgar Lungu. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The leave to appeal application by the family of the late former Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, will no longer be heard on Friday in the Pretoria High Court.
Lawyers for the family were set to argue for leave for the matter to be heard in the supreme court.
They are challenging a high court judgment which ordered that the former Zambian president’s remains be repatriated for burial in Lusaka.
Lungu died in June in Johannesburg and the family wants him to be buried in the country to avoid the involvement of the current Zambian president, Hakainde Hichilema, who was his political rival.
The courtroom that was packed last week with members and associates of the Lungu family and Zambian state representatives was relatively empty on Friday morning ahead of arguments for leave to appeal.
The Lungu family has roped in senior advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi on its legal team in its bid for the matter to be heard in the supreme court.
The family is challenging an order that former president Edgar Lungu’s body be handed over to the Zambian state for repatriation.
Ngcukaitobi briefly addressed the full bench, which was ready to hear the matter, saying the parties would like to have some time to discuss the matter out of court.
It was agreed that the matter would return to court on Monday.
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— Kgomotso?? (@motso_modise) August 15, 2025
The Edgar Lungu leave to appeal application will not proceed today.
Adv Ngcukaitobi who has been roped in by the family says the parties will try talk about the matter and return to court next week. @ewnreporter