The Pretoria High Court is this morning hearing a high-profile application for leave to appeal by former Zambian First Lady Esther Lungu and seven other appellants in a bid to block the repatriation of the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s remains to Zambia. The urgent hearing, which began at 09:00 hours, could determine whether the appellants are granted permission to pursue a full appeal against the court’s earlier ruling ordering the immediate return of the late President’s body.
On 8 August 2025, Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, presiding over a three-judge panel, ruled that the former Head of State should be returned to Zambia without delay. The court emphasized that the repatriation should follow constitutional requirements and established funeral protocols, allowing for burial at Lusaka’s Embassy Park with full State Honours.
The latest hearing is expected to delve into both legal and humanitarian arguments, as tensions rise over what has become an emotionally charged and politically sensitive matter. Legal representatives for Esther Lungu and the other appellants are reportedly seeking to argue that the initial ruling failed to adequately consider family concerns and procedural fairness. They maintain that the former First Lady and close family members should have a greater say in the handling of the late President’s remains before the State assumes control over the burial arrangements.
Meanwhile, government and civic voices in Zambia have urged adherence to the court’s ruling, emphasizing national mourning and the importance of observing constitutional and ceremonial obligations. Catholic priest Fr. Ignazio Muyunda called on the Lungu family to allow the process to proceed, stressing that the nation awaits the opportunity to honor a leader who served for seven years.
“Zambia is waiting,” Fr. Muyunda said in a video message broadcast on ZNBC. “The people want to pay their last respects to a leader who dedicated his life to public service. This is a moment for dignity, not division. The family needs prayers and support, not public disputes.”
The late President’s body remains in South Africa as the court considers the appeal, and Zambian government officials have reportedly made preparations to receive the remains should the court dismiss the challenge. Security and logistical teams are said to be on standby, ready to facilitate the repatriation once legal hurdles are cleared.
Observers note that the case has garnered attention not only in Zambia but across Southern Africa, highlighting the delicate balance between personal grief, family wishes, state protocol, and national healing. The dispute illustrates how the passing of a prominent leader can quickly evolve into a complex intersection of law, politics, and public sentiment.
Legal analysts indicate that the Pretoria High Court’s decision on whether to grant leave for a full appeal will be pivotal. If permission is granted, the case could take weeks or even months to resolve, potentially delaying the repatriation of the late President’s body. Conversely, if the court denies the leave to appeal, the path is clear for immediate transfer to Zambia, allowing national mourning ceremonies and the burial to proceed as originally ordered.
Pretoria High Court Hears Esther Lungu’s Appeal Over Repatriation of Late President Edgar Lungu
Funeral protocols for former heads of state in Zambia typically involve a series of ceremonial events, including lying-in-state at State House, official tributes from government dignitaries, and a final interment with full honours at a designated national cemetery. Embassy Park, the chosen burial site, has previously hosted national figures, and the site holds significant symbolic importance for the country’s leadership and citizens.
Political commentators emphasize that while legal proceedings are critical, public perception and national unity remain equally important. Prolonged delays or publicized disputes could inflame divisions, complicating Zambia’s process of collective mourning and remembrance. Analysts have also pointed out the potential diplomatic sensitivities, given that the matter involves legal proceedings in South Africa and the transport of a former head of state across international borders.
As the Pretoria High Court hearing continues, the eyes of Zambia—and indeed the broader Southern African region—remain focused on the courtroom, where family interests, state obligations, and national sentiment converge. Updates are expected throughout the day as arguments are presented, and legal counsel for both sides respond to questions from the bench.
For now, Zambians are left in anticipation, waiting to honor their sixth president, while the legal process in Pretoria will ultimately determine the timeline and circumstances of his repatriation. The unfolding developments underscore the complex interplay between law, politics, and personal grief in the management of state funerals for prominent leaders.
Source- ZimEye
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