A South African court on Friday ruled that Zambia may repatriate the remains of former President Edgar Lungu, despite opposition from his family.

"A former president's personal wishes or the wishes of his family cannot outweigh the right of the state to honor that individual with a state funeral," the High Court in Pretoria ruled.

Lungu, who served as Zambia's head of state from 2015 to 2021, died in South Africa in early June while receiving medical treatment.

His family wanted to bury him in South Africa, but the Zambian government insisted on holding a state funeral.

State funeral planned in Lusaka

At the center of the dispute is the tension between Lungu and his successor, current President Hakainde Hichilema.

Hichilema was jailed in 2017 during Lungu's presidency.

Last year, Lungu accused Hichilema's government of harassment and travel restrictions, including allegedly blocking his medical trip to South Africa, a claim the government denied.

Lungu's family said the former president did not want Hichilema anywhere near his funeral.

Zambia's government had planned a state funeral in Lusaka and turned to the courts.

On Friday, the South African judge ordered the family "to immediately surrender the body of the late president" to Zambian authorities to allow for its repatriation and burial in Lusaka.

The family may still appeal, but officials say the burial will now proceed in Zambia.

Edited by: Rana Taha