Burial saga: South African court dismisses Lungu family’s appeal

By Mark Ogagan

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has refused the family of the late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s urgent bid, to directly appeal the judgment of the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

It ruled that the Zambian government are entitled to repatriate Lungu’s remains for the purpose of a state funeral and burial.

The Constitutional Court has found that no case has been made out for a direct appeal.

Lungu’s family turned to the apex court in a bid to have the entire High Court judgment set aside and replaced with an order that dismisses the Zambian government’s application with costs.

Earlier this month, Esther Lungu, the widow of former President Lungu, in an affidavit before the Constitutional Court stated that the interests of justice demand an urgent direct appeal.

In addition, she added that “no one may be compelled to bury their loved one in accordance with the dictates of a State”.

The late Edgar Lungu (Pictured), died in June 2025 in Pretoria after an illness. He was president of Zambia from 2915 to 2021.