PRETORIA – A South African court on Monday reserved judgment in a legal dispute between the Zambian government and the family of the late former president Edgar Lungu regarding his repatriation.
The judgment was reserved after the parties jointly requested that proceedings be adjourned sine die according to a Lusaka Times report.
The report states that “the development has fueled speculation that intensive background negotiations could pave the way for an out-of-court settlement” months after the two parties have been in dispute.
The latest move potentially breaks “the deadlock that has prolonged the process since President Lungu’s death was announced months ago”.
The late former President Lungu died in South Africa and his both has been stuck in Pretoria since then with the family shifting position regarding burial arrangements and government involvement.
Sine die is a Latin term which generally means “without a day” implies that the matter has been suspended indefinitely, with no date set for reconvening.
The legal battle can resume any time in the event of an impasse or no solution between the two parties.
Meanwhile, government critic Sishuwa Sishuwa has been on the overdrive accusing Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema of being ritualistic in this matter involving Lungu’s burial.
“If there is substance to occult-linked rumours that Hakainde Hichilema may run mad or die unless he sees the body of Edgar Lungu by 5 September, then the president is, after today’s court developments, slowly running out of time,” wrote Sishuwa online.
Many have accused Sishuwa of being shallow as his anti-Hichilema message has centered around tribalism and some petty issues.
