Ruling on Leave to Appeal ECL Case

Following the High Court’s decision to allow former President Edgar Lungu to be repatriated for burial, and the subsequent appeal by Lungu’s family, Zambians both at home and abroad have been closely following media updates to stay informed on the latest developments.  

As of 15 August 2025, the Pretoria High Court had been expected to deliver its ruling on the application for leave to appeal the earlier judgment regarding the former president’s burial. However, the announcement has been delayed, and the court has now confirmed that the ruling will be handed down on Monday, 18 August 2025, at 10:00 am.  

The application, filed by members of Lungu’s family, seeks to challenge and overturn the initial decision, in the hope of burying Lungu in South Africa.

In a brief statement, the High Court noted that it remained optimistic about reaching a conclusion soon, emphasising that the matter should be resolved in a manner that serves the interests of all parties involved.

The presiding judges remarked that they “are still optimistic about the finality that would be in the interest of all the parties.”