A Fight Over a Former President's Resting Place

A court in South Africa recently stopped the burial of Zambia's former leader, Edgar Lungu, just as it was about to happen. This unexpected decision came after a church service for mourners had already ended. The halt is the latest in a long argument between Lungu's family and the Zambian government. Lungu's family wanted a private burial in South Africa, but the government insisted on a state funeral in Zambia. The court's decision means no burial will happen until at least August. This fight is part of a bigger disagreement between Lungu and the current president, Hakainde Hichilema, which started before Lungu passed away. The family says Lungu did not want Hichilema at his funeral, showing how deep the feud runs. After Lungu's death at 68, his family wanted to handle the funeral themselves, including bringing his body back to Zambia. But the government wanted control, leading to a breakdown in their agreement. The court has given the Zambian government until July 4 to explain why Lungu should be buried in Zambia. The family has until July 11 to respond. The court will make a final decision on August 4. The government argues that public interest should come before personal wishes, mentioning a past case where former President Kenneth Kaunda was buried against his family's wishes. This fight shows how political tensions can last even after a leader's death. It also highlights the struggle between personal wishes and public expectations in honoring former leaders.