ATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha says the Zambian Government will respect and abide by whatever judgment is delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in South Africa regarding the repatriation and burial of former president Edgar Lungu.
The SCA yesterday reserved judgment in a case in which the Lungu family is challenging a Pretoria High Court ruling that granted the Zambian Government the right to repatriate the late former president’s remains for a State funeral and buriATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha says the Zambian Government will respect and abide by whatever judgment is delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in South Africa regarding the repatriation and burial of former president Edgar Lungu.
The SCA yesterday reserved judgment in a case in which the Lungu family is challenging a Pretoria High Court ruling that granted the Zambian Government the right to repatriate the late former president’s remains for a State funeral and burial in Zambia.al in Zambia.
The August 8, 2025 ruling also directed Two Mountains Mortuary to release Mr. Lungu’s remains to representatives of the Zambia High Commission to facilitate their return to Zambia.
Following the hearing, the SCA indicated that the matter would be treated as urgent and that both parties would be informed once a judgment date is set.
Speaking after the proceedings, Kabesha said the matter had reached a stage where it was now entirely in the hands of the court.
“Where we have reached now, we can only leave it to the court,” Kabesha said.
“At this point, it’s not about who will attend or participate in the burial.”
The Zambian Government, through its legal representative Ben Stoop, maintained before the court that it has a legal and constitutional obligation to repatriate Mr. Lungu’s remains because he served as Zambia’s Head of State.
Stoop argued that the burial of a former president is a matter of public interest, national legacy and State protocol that transcends personal or political considerations.
He submitted that the Government has a responsibility to ensure that a former Head of State receives a burial befitting the office he once held.
However, the Lungu family, represented by senior advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, argued that the late former president had expressed a clear wish to be buried privately in South Africa and did not want the Zambian Government involved in his funeral arrangements.
Ngcukaitobi told the court that Mr. Lungu’s personal wishes should be respected and that his remains should remain in South Africa for burial.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling at a later date.Ngcukaitobi told the court that Mr. Lungu’s personal wishes should be respected and that his remains should remain in South Africa for burial.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling at a later date.
