last-minute case that was heard on the day of the funeral. The case forced members of Lungu's family to delay their appearance at a burial service and instead attend a courtroom hearing in the South African capital dressed in black funeral attire. The Pretoria High Court ruled that both parties had agreed after consultations that Lungu would not be buried until the case over where his funeral would be held was decided. The judge set an August 4 date for another hearing.
The legal challenge by the Zambian government against Lungu's burial in South Africa was the latest development in a nearly monthlong dispute with Lungu's family over the details of his funeral and final resting place. The Zambian government wants Lungu to have a state funeral at home — something Lungu's family have refused to allow because of his bitter political feud with current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu, who was Zambia's leader from 2015 to 2021, died of an undisclosed illness in a South African hospital on June 5 at the age of 68. (Jamaica Gleaner)