Supreme Court orders Zambian Govt and South African Govt to return Edgar Lungu’s remains to Two Mountains Funeral Parlour
South African Supreme Court orders Zambian Govt and South African Govt to return Edgar Lungu’s remains to Two Mountains Funeral Parlour and to show cause why they should not be cited for contempt of court — Edgar Lungu’s family spokesperson Makebi Zulu
BREAKING: Court Halts Movement of Lungu’s Remains, Orders Return to Funeral Parlour
South Africa – 22 April 2026
Following the removal of the remains of Zambia’s Sixth President Edgar LUNGU from Two Mountains, South Africa’s apex court has intervened to halt any immediate movement.
In an urgent ruling delivered this evening, the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa ordered that the late President’s remains be returned to Two Mountains Funeral Parlour, effectively stopping the repatriation process.
Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu confirmed the development, stating that the court has granted a stay and directed both governments to reverse any actions already taken.
“The Supreme Court has just given us a stay. The Government of Zambia and the Government of South Africa have been ordered to take back the body to Two Mountains Funeral Parlour,” he said.
In a further escalation, the court has ordered both the Zambian and South African governments to appear and show cause why they should not be cited for contempt of court a rare and serious judicial step that signals mounting concern over the handling of the matter.
“Further, there is an order for them to show cause as to why they should not be cited for contempt,” Zulu added.
According to the SABC News, the Zambian Government sort to execute the August 2025 Gauteng High Court judgment and took possession of the remains of the late President today.
However, an urgent application by the family prompted the appellate court to intervene at the last minute, issuing a stay immediately halting and reversal of any movement already initiated.
President Lungu, who passed away in South Africa on 5 June 2025, remains unburied nearly a year later an extraordinary situation that continues to stir public emotion, deepen political tensions, and raise complex legal questions across both jurisdictions.
For now, the immediate effect of the ruling is clear: the remains must be returned, and all further action is on hold pending the court’s next direction.
More details to come…
SE
So, who is to blame for the mess?
There might be delays, but the day will come when the loopholes in the law will no longer be there to make justification for this family and their lawyer to hold government at ransom.
Just what is wrong with these people?
The supreme court of south Africa is very incompetent!!!!!
The obsession with the late President Edgar Lungu ‘s remains will eventually prove Costly for Mr Hakainde Hichilema and his government.
If indeed the Body was taken from the Funeral Parlour by the government of the Republic of Zambia without the permission of the family, or in the absence of the Family members as per the 2025 South African High Court judgment, then this was wrong.
The High Court was very clear in it’s judgement on how the body was to be taken from two Mountain Funeral Parlour..The Body was to be handed over to the government in the presence of family members.
Handling of human Remains is very sensitive and requires the involvement of family members.. How will government defend itself if it is accused of tampering with the remains of the ex President during the time it was in their possession ?
By this act the government has brought the issue of the late President back to prominence in national discourse.
If indeed the Supreme Court has ordered the government of the Republic of Zambia to return the body to the funeral Parlour , then it’s a total mess.
We will see how Mr Hakainde Hichilema and his government will spin themselves out of this mess.
A Stay of Execution is normal. It is a fair temporary halt to maintain the status- quo to allow parties to argue their case. After each party makes its legal submissions, the Court will make an ORDER either to dismiss or dissolve the Stay or allow matter proceed with appeal. If however the Appellant had failed to file grounds of appeal with Heads of Arguments, as is being alleged, the Stay will be thrown out.
Keep on dreaming the court has decided.Its a clear case.The government of South Africa is following the law.Its not Zambia where you got used for unlawful behavior and impunity
The August 8th South Africa High Court Judgment was very clear on how the body was to be handed over to the Government of the Republic of Zambia… Not unilaterally, but in the Presence of a Family Physician and for two family members, to be present during the whole process.
What the Zambian Government has done is wrong.
In Bemba we say ” umupampamina wa tulile Ing’oma” .. Don’t Force matters, the end result usually is disaster.
Hakainde and his government may just have opened a can of worms..We will see how they will clean up the mess.
Let’s wait and see how the issue will develop.
Legally this appears to be an academic exercise. Lapse of time of filing the families reasons for stay of execution of the High court ruling is a one of major reasons for the weakness of the temporary stay.
Legal processes are important to follow. Just my thoughts on this. Lets see what the legal experts will say.
