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| Edgar Lungu: South African court rules that Zambia can repatriate body of ex-president | Edgar Lungu: South African court rules that Zambia can repatriate body of ex-president |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Edgar Lungu was president of Zambia from six years - from 2015 until 2021 | Edgar Lungu was president of Zambia from six years - from 2015 until 2021 |
| A South African court has ruled that Zambia's government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu and give him a state funeral, despite his family's opposition. | A South African court has ruled that Zambia's government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu and give him a state funeral, despite his family's opposition. |
| Lungu's family had wanted to bury him privately in South Africa, where he died in June. They were left visibly distraught by the Pretoria high court's decision. | Lungu's family had wanted to bury him privately in South Africa, where he died in June. They were left visibly distraught by the Pretoria high court's decision. |
| The Zambian state welcomed the ruling, saying that while it mourned with the former statesman's family, Lungu "belongs to the nation". | The Zambian state welcomed the ruling, saying that while it mourned with the former statesman's family, Lungu "belongs to the nation". |
| The dispute follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu's family saying he had indicated that Hichilema should not attend his funeral. | The dispute follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu's family saying he had indicated that Hichilema should not attend his funeral. |
| Handing down the ruling, judge Aubrey Ledwaba said the Zambian government was "entitled to repatriate the body of the late president" and ordered his family to "immediately surrender" it to authorities. | Handing down the ruling, judge Aubrey Ledwaba said the Zambian government was "entitled to repatriate the body of the late president" and ordered his family to "immediately surrender" it to authorities. |
| The presidential feud that even death couldn't end | The presidential feud that even death couldn't end |
| From Dos Santos to Mugabe - the burial disputes over ex-leaders | From Dos Santos to Mugabe - the burial disputes over ex-leaders |
| Following Lungu's death from an undisclosed illness at the age of 68, the family wanted to be in charge of the funeral arrangements, including the repatriation of his body, but the Zambian authorities sought to take control. | Following Lungu's death from an undisclosed illness at the age of 68, the family wanted to be in charge of the funeral arrangements, including the repatriation of his body, but the Zambian authorities sought to take control. |
| The government and his family later agreed he would have a state funeral before relations broke down over the precise arrangements, prompting the family to opt for a burial in South Africa. | The government and his family later agreed he would have a state funeral before relations broke down over the precise arrangements, prompting the family to opt for a burial in South Africa. |
| The former president's elder sister Bertha Lungu cried in court after the verdict was announced. | |
| It's unclear if Mr Lungu's family will appeal against the court ruling. | |
| Speaking over the loud wails, Zambian Attorney General Mulilo D Kabesha said the ruling was not a win for the government but rather "what makes good sense". | |
| "When you are the father of the nation, you can't restrict yourself to your immediate family," he said. | "When you are the father of the nation, you can't restrict yourself to your immediate family," he said. |
| Mr Kabesha praised the court for making a "sound judgment" and said that while the family had a right to appeal, this was a "learning curve" for those aspiring to the highest office. | Mr Kabesha praised the court for making a "sound judgment" and said that while the family had a right to appeal, this was a "learning curve" for those aspiring to the highest office. |
| Lungu led Zambia from 2015 until 2021 when he lost the election to Hichilema by a large margin. | Lungu led Zambia from 2015 until 2021 when he lost the election to Hichilema by a large margin. |
| After that defeat he stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray. | After that defeat he stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray. |
| Additional reporting by Nomsa Maseko | |
| More BBC stories on Zambia: | More BBC stories on Zambia: |
| Funeral row causes chaos for mourners of Zambia's ex-president | Funeral row causes chaos for mourners of Zambia's ex-president |
| Zambia dismisses US health warning after toxic spill in copper mining area | Zambia dismisses US health warning after toxic spill in copper mining area |
| 'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo | 'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo |
| Artist explores the toxic mining legacy of Zambia's 'black mountains' | Artist explores the toxic mining legacy of Zambia's 'black mountains' |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |