South African Court rules that Zambia can return the body of the former president star-news.press/wp

The South African Court ruled that the Zambia government could return the body of former President Edgar Longjo and give him the funeral of the state, despite his family’s opposition.

The Lungu family wanted to bury him separately in South Africa, where he died in June. They were clearly hungry in Pretoria’s Supreme Court’s decision.

The Zambian state welcomed the ruling, saying that while it is sad with the family of the former statesman, LunGu “belongs to the nation.”

The conflict follows a long conflict between Longo and his successor, President Hakinde Hishilma, with the Longo family saying that he indicated that Heshilma should not attend his funeral.

The verdict was delivered, Judge Auberi Lidaba said that the Zambian government “has the right to restore the body of the late president” and his family ordered “to surrender immediately” to the authorities.

After Lungu’s death of an unknown disease at the age of 68, the family wanted to be responsible for the funeral arrangements, including his body restoring, but the Zambian authorities sought control.

The government and his family later agreed to have a government funeral before relations have collapsed over accurate arrangements, prompting the family to choose burial in South Africa.

The public prosecutor at Zambian Mulilo Kapsha, talking about noisy factors from Longo’s relatives, said the ruling was not a victory over the government but “what is logical.”

“When you are the nation’s father, you cannot restrict yourself to your direct family,” he said.

Mr. Kabisha praised the court because of his “sound ruling” and said that despite the family’s right to appeal, this is “an educational curve” for those who aspire to the highest office.

Long LED Zambia from 2015 to 2021 when he lost the elections against Hichilema with a large margin.

After that defeat, he retracted politics, but later returned to the battle.