The Constitutional Court of South Africa has dismissed an application by the family of the late former President Edgar Lungu to directly appeal a ruling concerning the repatriation of his remains to Zambia.
The application was filed by Esther Lungu and six others, who sought leave to challenge the Gauteng High Court judgment ordering the return of the former President’s remains for burial in Zambia.
“The Constitutional Court has considered the application for leave to appeal directly to it and has concluded that no case has been made out for a direct appeal. Consequently, leave to appeal must be refused.” The court stated in its decision.
The ruling follows a prolonged dispute between the Zambian government and the Lungu family over the burial arrangements, which escalated to the South African judiciary.
Former President Lungu died on June 5, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
By Christabel Kamunu
