LUNGU FAMILY CASE POSTPONED AS HIGH COURT HEARS SETTLEMENT TALKS ARE UNDERWAY
By Brian Matambo, Sandton, South Africa
The High Court in Pretoria has postponed to Monday, 18 August, the hearing of the Lungu family’s application for leave to appeal, after both sides confirmed that discussions are underway to try and resolve the dispute over the late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s burial.
Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, appearing for Esther Lungu and other family members, told the court that the parties were “talking to each other about how to resolve the matter” and that more time was needed to explore a possible agreement.
“We have agreed with my learned friend to ask the court for an indulgence to stand down the leave to appeal to Monday at 10 o’clock,” Ngcukaitobi said.
Deputy Judge President Aubrey Phago Ledwaba, acting as presiding judge, acknowledged the update with a note of optimism, saying there was “light at the end of the tunnel,” before adding with caution, “we hope it is a real light, not the oncoming train in the tunnel.”
The court granted the request, standing the matter down to Monday morning. If no agreement is reached by then, the High Court will proceed to hear the application, which seeks to overturn its earlier order directing that Lungu’s remains be handed to the Zambian government for repatriation and a state funeral.
Government should be cautious as they engage the Lungu family.
A few things the government should be mindful of or take into account:
1. Should be on condition that they see the body
2. The body should be flown to Zambia using a government plane
I 100 % agree. Well said @ Nsama.
Agree. Seems strange but an act welcome.
The request to verify the body seems to do wonders, has forced them to consider engaging. But why?
I can speculate, on monday, we will hear that they have agreed to handover BUT strictly, no body verification and no body viewing.
The Lungu family should cremate the body immediately, then give the ashes to Hakainde and his sangomas. Problem solved.
REJECT TRIBALISM, CORRUPTION AND OPPRESSION.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
And the sadist is back…how we enjoyed his absence.
Welcome back Haaindigo Tyrol. We missed your great contributions on the Platform.
And was worried that our friends who detaste diversity in opinion might have taken you to the other side of the Curtains.
It’s great to see you back!
In the event that an agreement were reached or ex-curia settlement, and parties sign a CONSENT ORDER and the body of deceased President were to be transported from South Africa to Zambia, it is inevitable that there would be body verification, in the same way travellers are checked with identity at airport before boarding the plane.
Remove that dull lawyer makebi Zulu if you are to come with good results from that meeting or settlement.
Look like the benz is worth its price in salt after all..
What needs to be done is to revert back to the status quo as per the Agreement which was made between the government and the Lungu family on 14th June,2025.
Private repatriation of the Remains of Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Repose at his family home, Requiem Mass at Show grounds to be celebrated by the Catholic Church Lusaka Arch Bishop Dr Alick Banda…and a limited presence of the President Mr Hakainde Hichilema.
This was the agreement which the government took to court.
My worry is however the comments made by the Judge today in South Africa. What did he mean by Light at the end of the Tunnel?
Is this light only to be seen when Burial is in Lusaka?
What of us who saw this light in our 6th President being buried in South Africa away from the evil Dignity…the “Akatumbi kaleisa” type of dignity…away from Hopeless Hypocrites and Crocodile Tears.
May the South African Court Judge use clear lenses so that he can see the Light people seek…and want for the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
You write English well, but it’s all nonsense. No evil, other than the evil done by the same people you defend, exists here.
It’s law and custom to bury a President (even a useless, corrupt one) in his country. The same PF hypocrites and liars insisted on this for KK.
Only an uneducated set of fools would be crying about HH’s intention with the body. HH is an intelligent man not sitting around worry about idiocies like witchcraft, like these morons. We all know they are hiding something far more nefarious with these actions.
Keep writing illogical, dishonest drivel. It suits your lying personality.
Personally I don’t see anything fruitful from that engagement. Nevertheless the government shouldn’t bend down, they should insist on seeing the body plus open body viewing amongst other conditions. Surely PF , Makebi and Lungu family can’t be trusted. The insistence of body viewing to be avoided means a lot. Edgar could still be alive somewhere.
The government should NEVER negotiate on the condition of discontinuing court cases against the Lungus or offer them immunity. We are tired of looters getting away with their evil acts. This has made Zambia a looters’ paradise.
Let the Lungus under go the due process of the law.
Talks should not lead to dropping of criminal cases doing so will legitimize looting by those in power.
Well, all this was meant to buy time and escalate the appeal to the constitutional court. The new Lungu family lawyer looks really smart.