SA High Court Halts Lungu Burial As Govt Tries to Bring Him Home

A High Court judge in Pretoria ordered a halt to the burial of former President Edgar Lungu on Wednesday, shortly before a memorial service was due to be held at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg.

The ruling came after Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha filed a complaint arguing for President Lungu to be returned to Zambia and laid to rest in the national cemetery, in accordance with laws set out after the death of founding President Kenneth Kaunda.

A mass was held for President Lungu yesterday instead of the burial service, attended by his family and close supporters from the Patriotic Front. Meanwhile, the judge has ruled that a full hearing will take place on 4 August.

According to Zambian law, all former presidents are to be accorded full military honours and laid to rest in the national cemetery. The government says that a plot has already been prepared for President Lungu, however his family insist that the former president made a specific request that President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral.

In a statement, the Attorney General said the government will follow the South African court’s guidance.

 "President Lungu was President for all Zambians. We therefore have a duty to do all we can to ensure he is honoured with a state funeral. Our aim is to ensure that all Zambian citizens can pay their respects in a dignified and appropriate way,” Mr Kabesha said.

"Today's proceedings provide an opportunity for the parties to reach consensus so we can put to rest our former President with the decorum he deserves, and in the public interest,” he added.

President Lungu died in South Africa earlier this month after receiving medical treatment abroad for an undisclosed illness.