Zambia ex-president’s family wins fight over burial rights

South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that former Zambian President Edgar Lungu can be buried in South Africa, overturning an earlier order to repatriate his body to Zambia for a state funeral.

More than a year after his death, Edgar Lungu finally has a resting place — and it’s not where Zambia’s government wanted. The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein has ruled the late former president’s body can stay in South Africa for burial, reversing an earlier decision ordering repatriation, according to BBC news.

The family had fought hard against a state funeral, pointing to Lungu’s bitter falling-out with successor Hakainde Hichilema. Zambia, meanwhile, wanted him buried in Lusaka alongside past presidents, befitting a former head of state.

Now the big question: does Zambia accept this, or push further? Either way, the saga over Lungu’s remains has taken its most dramatic turn yet.