Lungu Family Appeals Burial Ruling
The family of late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has filed an urgent application for leave to appeal a ruling by the Pretoria High Court regarding his funeral and burial arrangements.
In their notice, the family challenges the Court’s judgment delivered on 8 August, arguing it wrongly ordered the repatriation of Lungu’s remains to Zambia and allowed the current Zambian President to take part in the funeral against Lungu’s wishes.
The family contends there was no final agreement with the Zambian government, only a tentative proposal (Annexure “FAA7”), and that the court incorrectly applied Zambian law without proper evidence. They argue South African law should apply, since Lungu passed away in South Africa.
The Applicants also notes that the court ignored constitutional rights, including dignity and cultural freedom, and failed to consider critical evidence of misrepresentation by the respondent.
They now seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, calling the judgment flawed and harmful to the family’s rights and Lungu’s legacy
