Court order stops a former Zambian president’s burial in South Africa on the day of his funeral

By Mogomotsi Magome and Jacob Zimba

The Zambian government succeeded in getting a court order to stop the private burial of former President Edgar Lungu in South Africa on Wednesday after it filed a last-minute case that was heard on the day of the funeral.

The case forced members of Lungu’s family to delay their appearance at a burial service and instead attend a courtroom hearing in the South African capital dressed in black funeral attire.

The Pretoria High Court ruled that both parties had agreed after consultations that Lungu would not be buried until the case over where his funeral would be held was decided. The judge set an Aug. 4 date for another hearing.

The legal challenge by the Zambian government against Lungu’s burial in South Africa was the latest development in a nearly monthlong dispute with Lungu’s family over the details of his funeral and final resting place.

The Zambian government wants Lungu to