The Edgar Lungu family should realise that the case they applied for leave to appeal, which effectively halted the repatriation of the deceased former president, is an academic exercise and unlikely to succeed in court.
To save themselves from further embarrassment, the Lungu family should withdraw the appeal for leave, as indications suggest the case will likely be dismissed.
Makebi Zulu, Give Lubinda and Raphael Nakachinda have continued misleading the family into this circus and now the south Africans are tired of this. 
Firstly, in an attempt to increase their chances of overturning last week’s court ruling, the family has replaced lawyer Casper Weljemoed, their previous counsel, with a new lawyer.
However, it’s worth noting that Weljemoed is a good lawyer who simply acted on poor instructions. Simply put his client had basis before courts.
Having reviewed the grounds for appeal, the new lawyer, Counsel Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, has hopefully prevailed upon his clients and advised that an out-of-court settlement through negotiations is the family’s best option.
Changing lawyers won’t help this case. The Lungu’s should just change their hearts. Former president Lungu deserves a dignified burial, presided over by the STATE.
The Pretoria High Court has since set Monday’s date to hear the matter, expressing hope that finality in the interest of all parties will be achieved.
The Lungu family, through their lawyer, has informed the Pretoria High Court that they are engaged in discussions with the Zambian government regarding the repatriation of the former president’s body for a state funeral in Zambia.
Lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC said both the family and the Zambian government have agreed to postpone the hearing of the leave-to-appeal application to Monday, August 18, 2025.
He added that if the discussions are successful, the court will be duly informed.
On August 8, 2025, the Zambian government won a legal battle against the Lungu family, securing an order for the body to be handed over to Zambian authorities for a state funeral following his death on June 5, 2025.
However, dissatisfied with the ruling, the family applied for leave to appeal, effectively halting the repatriation process. This means the order cannot be executed until the appeal is resolved.
