South Africa Constitutional Court Dismisses Lungu Family Appeal on Burial Site

South Africa's Constitutional Court has dismissed the appeal by the family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu against a Pretoria High Court ruling that his remains be repatriated to Zambia for burial. The family wished to bury Lungu privately in South Africa and exclude Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema from the funeral, but the Zambian government insisted on an official state funeral in their home country. The apex court's refusal was procedural, emphasizing the need to follow judicial hierarchy and denying direct appeal due to lack of exceptional urgency or constitutional significance. This decision upholds the Pretoria High Court's order, signaling that the family must pursue the normal appeal process if they wish to continue contesting the burial location. The ruling ends weeks of legal disputes that stirred political and public debate in both Zambia and South Africa. Zambian authorities are now preparing for a state funeral, although discussions remain about whether the burial will be in Lusaka or Lungu's rural home.