The Zambian government has said it has retrieved the body of former President Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa 10 months ago, a move that has sparked controversy as it goes against the wishes of his family, adding to the already tense situation over the fate of the former leader's body.

The tension also stems from a long-standing dispute between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with the government insisting that, due to his status as a former president, he deserves to be given a state funeral and buried in a special presidential burial ground in Lusaka, alongside other former leaders.

However, Lungu's family has taken a different stance, demanding a private burial. Talks between them and the government over how to arrange the funeral broke down, leading to the dispute continuing until it was brought to the South African Court of Justice.

A South African court ruled in August last year to allow the Zambian government to return the body for a state funeral, although the family appealed the decision. The government has said the move to take the body was motivated by the family's failure to pursue the case.

However, the family, through their lawyers, have filed an urgent application with the South African High Court seeking the return of the body to its original mortuary.