368 Views The South African Supreme Court has reserved judgment to a later date as the legal battle over the late former president Edgar Lungu’s remains continues. During the session judges pressed the government of Zambia over its argument that a former President whose benefits were withdrawn still retained sufficient status for the State to […]

368 Views

The South African Supreme Court has reserved judgment to a later date as the legal battle over the late former president Edgar Lungu’s remains continues.

During the session judges pressed the government of Zambia over its argument that a former President whose benefits were withdrawn still retained sufficient status for the State to determine his burial against family wishes.

In a tense exchange, the bench questioned the foundation of the State’s case, asking: “What was left of his presidency?”

while pointing to evidence that the deceased had been effectively removed from official benefits.

Judges noted the State’s own position that the former Head of State had been “stripped of everything” and that “his office was taken away, not performing any function,” raising questions over what legal status remained at the time of death.

The Court further highlighted that, according to the record, “at the time, he was not considered to be entitled to those benefits,” challenging the argument that presidential privileges could still anchor State authority over burial arrangements.

The government, however, maintained that former presidential status and national significance were not extinguished by withdrawal of benefits, arguing that entitlements would have been restored had the deceased exited active politics before his passing.

Judges also interrogated the State’s claim that benefits could be reinstated posthumously, questioning the coherence of a position that simultaneously treats benefits as withdrawn during life but applicable after death. Diamond tv