South African Court Hears Appeal Over Burial of Former Zambian President

A South African appeals court heard arguments Friday in a dispute over where the body of Zambia's former president should be buried, nearly a year after his death in a South African hospital. The family is appealing an August ruling by the Pretoria High Court that directed the remains be turned over to Zambian diplomats for repatriation. The former president died on June 5, 2025, at age 68.

A lawyer for the family told the court that the Zambian government's claim to a state burial was unwarranted because the former president's benefits had been revoked before his death. The lawyer also argued that a widow's wishes should take precedence in burial decisions.

The family has said it wants the burial to take place in South Africa and has objected to any funeral arrangements involving the current Zambian president.

Zambian government told the court that the family and the government had previously agreed that the current president would attend the funeral and receive dignitaries. The lawyer said the family later violated that agreement. The five justices questioned the absence of any explicit instructions from the former president about burial in South Africa.

The court did not say when a ruling would be issued.