SCA sets aside High Court ruling in Edgar Lungu repatriation matter
The High Court had found then that the Zambian govt was entitled to repatriate Lungu's remains
Black News 
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has set aside the August 2025 judgment by the High Court in Pretoria in the matter involving the late former Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s family and the Zambian government.
The High Court had found then that the Zambian government was entitled to repatriate Lungu’s remains for a State funeral and burial.
The former Zambian President passed away on 5 June 2025 in Johannesburg while he was receiving medical treatment.
What followed was a lengthy battle over his remains between the Lungu family, who want to lay him to rest in South Africa and the Zambian government, which seeks to accord him a funeral in his homeland.
The lawyers for the Zambian government are awaiting instructions on a way forward.
JUST IN: The SCA has set aside the August 2025 Gauteng High Court in PTA judgment that found that the Zambian govt is entitled to repatriate the remains of the late fmr Pres. Edgar Lungu for a State funeral & burial. Lungu passed away on 5 June 2025. Appeal is upheld #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/jvLO7tKwKr
— Canny Maphanga (@CannyMaphanga) June 23, 2026
In May, the Lungu family turned to the appellate court for relief, arguing that the right to bury is an autonomous one which belongs to Esther Lungu, the widow of the late former Zambian President.
