The Zambian government has taken possession of the body of former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa 10 months ago, against the wishes of his family. This is the latest episode in a dispute over his remains, stemming from a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema.

The government insists that as a former head of state, Lungu should be buried at the special presidential burial ground in Lusaka. However, the family wanted a private burial after negotiations over funeral arrangements broke down.

Last August, a South African court ruled that Zambia's government could repatriate the body and give him a state funeral. The family appealed, but according to Zambia's Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, they were unable to proceed with their case at the appeals court.

Family spokesman Makebi Zulu disputed that the appeals process had lapsed, saying correct procedures were followed. The family's lawyers have now made an urgent application to the high court in South Africa for the body to be returned to the funeral home.

Lungu died of an undisclosed illness in June last year at age 68 in Pretoria. He led Zambia from 2015 until 2021, when he lost elections by a huge margin to Hichilema. The relationship between the two was fraught, with Lungu's family saying he did not want Hichilema to attend his funeral.

Source: www.bbc.com