COURT ORDERS ZAMBIA TO RETURN LUNGU’S BODY

Just hours after Zambia said it had taken possession of Edgar Lungu’s body, a South African court ordered it returned.

The late Zambian president died aged 68 in Pretoria. A 10-month dispute followed over his burial. Zambia wants a state funeral in Lusaka. Lungu’s family want a private burial in South Africa, saying he did not want President Hichilema “anywhere near” his body.

Last August, the Pretoria High Court ruled Zambia could repatriate the body. The family appealed. On Wednesday night Zambia’s government announced the court had “formally transferred” the remains to the state, saying the family failed to proceed with their appeal.

Hours later, the same court ordered Zambia to return the body until a hearing on 21 May. Two Mountains Burial Services, the SA funeral home, has reportedly refused to take the body back and asked the family to find an alternative.

Family spokesman Makebi Zulu disputes that the appeal lapsed, saying correct procedure was followed.

The feud between Lungu and his successor Hichilema lasted years. After Lungu’s death, competing mourning periods and condolence books were announced.