Lungu family fires lawyer
AS the Edgar Lungu repatriation legal battle rages on in the South African courts, the family of the former president has fired their underperforming lawyer, Casper Welgemoed.
Gone is Welgemoed, who last appeared in court looking like a man sitting for an exam in a language he only learnt last week.
And Judge Audrey Ledwaba granted the request, expressing hope for a resolution.
“We hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are still optimistic that finality will be reached in the interest of all parties,” said Ledwaba.
Welgemoed’s downfall came when judges began asking questions and he began answering them like a man explaining to his wife why another woman’s name is saved as Airtel in his phone.
When the matter came up before the Pretoria High Court this morning, the family’s previous lawyer, Casper Welgemoed, was replaced by senior counsel Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.
The switch came after Welgemoed struggled to respond to questions from the bench during earlier proceedings.
Ngcukaitobi informed the court that both parties were engaged in discussions to resolve the matter and had agreed to request a postponement.
“The parties are talking to each other about how to resolve the matter. If the discussion succeeds the court will be informed but we need more time than today. And we have agreed with my learned friends to ask the court for an urgency to stand down the leave to appeal to Monday the 18th at 10 o’clock,” he said.
The case follows last Friday’s judgment ordering that the late president’s remains be returned to Zambia for a state funeral and burial at Embassy Park.
The ruling was met with opposition from members of the Lungu family, who subsequently filed an application for leave to appeal, arguing that the court had erred.
The matter will now return to court on Monday, 18 August 2025, at 10:00 hours.
By Catherine Pule in Pretoria, South Africa
Kalemba, August 15, 2025
This is what happens when you fail an exam. You blame the pencil, the teacher and the text book. A lack of objective introspect is the reason for the mess we have before. As I said, you can buy a new benz, it doesnt change the facts of this case.
Did Edgar Lungu want to be buried in South Africa? No! And this is according to sworn testimony of the family lawyer. The mouth piece of the Lungu family. So that must be fact. He swore to tell the truth nothing but the truth.
So can the new benz walk back the facts? What is their leverage in their demand of a private plane and no Head of State at the Funeral? Who among his friends (Heads of state and former) will be recieved? What dignity is there when these people are recieved by PF officials and what is the point the family and PF be attaining in all this? Remember these arw just visitors who have come to grieve with you and after the burial will leave.
Milandu ikalipo kaa
The Lungu ‘s young counsel failed to perform when it mattered most. Laughing when presenting points in Court! Which defense lawyer does that? Laughing in a high stakes Trial? Who recommended this hopeless Brat to the Lungus?
The boy was failing to articulate the points which mattered most..All facts were on his side, and law was on his side too, and against
a ‘ senile ‘ lawyer for the applicants! And the Boy failed to perform! The applicants case could have been shredded into pieces by a competent lawyer..That ‘ senile ‘ lawyer for the Applicants had no facts, and no Law to present to the Court ..and he was Mooh Mooh Moohling endlessly through the Trial. Mince meat for Once upon a time Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, Chifumu Banda, or Mutembo Nchito.
The Truth shall set you Free. There is a moment in a case where Facts can not be changed. The lawyers know our late president got back into politics and they know what that means going by our constitution. They also know that he served Zambia as a head of state . Zambia made him president because he is Zambian. Should the Lungu family cases be traded for his funeral, NO. Allow him to rest and then proove yourselves innocent in the courts of law . I know court will allow you time enough to mourn before holding you answerable. Remember that ECL’s spirit will have an impact on the family considering the way you have treated him in death. Mark my words
Very good advice but unfortunately, the stolen loot has blinded them to the extent that they no longer think logically…
They have even abandoned the elders in the family….
I shudder in my skin what lies ahead of them and their next generation…
Peace will not be part of them…
Very Sad indeed…
Just leave lungu to rot. The most rotten chikala Zambia has ever seen. The whole lungu chikala’s must be thrown into jail, especially the cheap Tasila
Nabashipula nabazinkimana, umu Rasta abachaya olilo.