Zambia ex-president's family wins latest legal battle over what should happen to his body

The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu won a legal battle this week regarding the repatriation of his body, which has been in a South African mortuary for over a year. The Lusaka High Court ruled on March 13, 2024, that the government must facilitate the return of Lungu's remains to Zambia, overturning a previous decision that had allowed the body to remain in South Africa. This ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute between Lungu's family and the Zambian government, which began shortly after his death in South Africa on December 1, 2022. The government had initially cited security concerns and the need for further investigations as reasons for delaying the repatriation, claims the family has consistently refuted. The court's decision mandates the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work collaboratively with the Lungu family to ensure the body's swift return and burial in Zambia. The family has expressed relief and gratitude for the court's decision, emphasizing their desire to give the former president a dignified burial in his homeland. The government has not yet issued a formal statement regarding its next steps following the High Court's judgment.