South African court rules that Zambia can repatriate body of ex-president

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 Pretoria Supreme Court in favor of the state of Zambia, who previously applied to prevent the family’s plans to bury him separately in South Africa, died in June.

At that time, the Zambian state lawyers argued that personal desires should not exceed the largest public interest.

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.

No order has been provided at the costs of the urgent application.

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.

Longo’s relatives were clearly shaken by the ruling, as they were loud in the courtroom, where the Zambian public prosecutor Mulilo Kabisha spoke to the media.

He said that the ruling was not a victory for the government, but “what is logical.”

“When you are the father of the nation, you cannot restrict yourself to your direct family … the man belongs to the nation,” 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.