Home » South African Court Rejects Lungu Appeal, Orders Burial in Zambia

South African Court Rejects Lungu Appeal, Orders Burial in Zambia

A South African court dismissed the Lungu family’s legal challenge, directing that the late Zambian’s remains be repatriated for burial

by Adedotun Oyeniyi

Key Points


  • Court denies Lungu family appeal, fueling burial dispute between nations.

  • Judges order deceased body repatriated back to Zambia for interment.

  • Ruling ends prolonged cross-border legal battle surrounding disputed funeral.


The High Court in South Africa turned down an appeal from the family of the late Chilongo Lungu, saying that his body must be sent back to Zambia for burial. The decision ends a month-long legal battle between the family and Zambian officials that got a lot of attention in both countries.

The family of Lungu, a well-known Zambian businessman who died in Pretoria in July, wanted to bury him in South Africa, where he had lived for more than 20 years. But Zambian officials insisted that his body be sent back to Lusaka, citing both cultural norms and government rules for high-profile funerals.

The court says no to the Lungu family’s request for a burial

According to a report by  Africa-news, Justice Nomsa Khumalo said in her decision that the family did not give enough reasons to go against the Zambian government’s request. Khumalo said, “Burial is not just a family matter; it also has to do with cultural and national identity.” He pointed out that the late businessman’s home country had strong public ties.

The decision came after the family’s lawyer, Thabo Mokoena, made the case that practical factors, such as the cost of bringing the body back home and the fact that the deceased had lived in South Africa for a long time, supported a burial in South Africa. Mwansa Chanda, a lawyer from Zambia, said that as a public figure, Lungu’s funeral should reflect the wishes of his home country.

Key phrase: Court turns down Lungu family’s appeal

The case, which was heard over three sessions, showed how hard it is to balance private interests with government power in cross-border issues. Legal experts say that this decision will probably have an effect on future fights over the remains of expatriates. “The court was clear: the sovereign state has the overriding interest,” said Professor Naledi Dlamini, a legal scholar in Johannesburg.

People who watched said that President Hakainde Hichilema’s government in Zambia has been very firm about bringing home Zambians who die abroad, especially those who are well-known in public. Officials said this not only keeps cultural norms alive, but it also strengthens the state’s control over the national heritage.

Zambia gets ready to receive Lungu’s body

After the ruling, Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that plans were being made to bring the bodies to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. Burial is set for later this week at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park. Government officials and business leaders are expected to be there.

People in Johannesburg who are related to the case said they were disappointed but would respect the court’s decision. Mutale Lungu, his oldest son, said, “We had hoped to bury him here where he built his life, but we will do what we have to do.”

The ruling ends a disagreement that not only showed how hard it is for families to deal with their grief, but also put regional laws on sovereignty, jurisdiction, and cultural traditions to the test. The decision marks the end of a chapter for many Zambians, who had been waiting for one of their own to say goodbye.

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