johannesburg– A Controversy over his funeral This means the body of the former President of Zambia edgar lungu Nearly a year after his death in a South African hospital, he has still not been buried.
Lungu’s family wanted to bury him in South Africa because of his bitter political rivalry with current Zambian leader Hakainde Hichilema. But the Zambian government has gone to court to gain custody of Lungu’s remains so it can repatriate them for a state funeral.
a new turn In a drama that has dragged on for months, on Wednesday the Zambian government said it had taken custody of the body with the assistance of South African authorities, but a court ordered the remains to be returned to the funeral home where the family had kept them.
Here’s what you need to know about the bizarre dispute that has been a source of morbid fascination for people of both countries:
lungu died Last year on June 5 At the age of 68, due to an undisclosed illness, traveled to South Africa for medical treatment. His family planned to bury him in South Africa, and refused to return his body to Zambia for a state funeral in the presence of Hichilema.
The family, through a spokesperson, said this was because one of Lungu’s last wishes was for Hichilema not to go “anywhere near his body” when he was buried. The Zambian government launched a court case to win custody of the remains, arguing that a state funeral was in the national interest.
Zambian authorities also months ago prepared a space for Lungu in a cemetery where some of the country’s former leaders are buried. The grave remains empty.
Lungu and successor was Hichilema bitter political rival in the southern African nation over the years.
Lungu defeated Hichilema in the 2016 election. A year later, Hichilema was jailed for four months on charges of treason for refusing to give way to the presidential motorcade on the road. The charges were dropped and Hichilema was released as advocacy groups condemned the arrest.
after Hichilema becomes president In 2021, Lungu claimed she was harassed by police and effectively placed under house arrest. His family said that for some time he was prevented from leaving the country for treatment. Hichilema’s government denied those allegations.
Lungu He reportedly traveled to South Africa by going to the airport unnoticed and buying a ticket over the counter.
Zambian government’s court case seeking to take possession of Lungu’s body A planned funeral service was put on hold For them in South Africa last June. The move forced Lungu’s family members, dressed in black funeral attire, to call off the service and head to court for the urgent matter.
A South African court later ruled that In favor of the Government of Zambia And said that the body should be brought back. The date of May 12 was fixed for handing over the body.
The Zambian government announced late Wednesday that it had taken possession of Lungu’s body and moved it from a private funeral home mortuary to another facility in the South African capital, Pretoria, in preparation for repatriation.
Soon after, a court ordered the immediate return of the body to the family, charging the government with contempt of court because it had attempted to collect Lungu’s remains before the scheduled date.
Now a new legal drama could be unfolding after the court ordered the Zambian government – ​​and South African officials, who apparently helped transport the body – to explain why they should not be charged with contempt of court.
___
AP Africa News: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
