President Michael Sata has declared three days of national mourning in honour of the late former Republican Vice-President Mr Kunda. This is contained in a press release from State House. The President said that is deeply saddened at the passing of Muchinga MMD Member of Parliament and former Republican Vice-President Mr George Kunda SC, who died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on Monday.
In his letter of condolences to Mrs Irene Kunda, President Sata described Mr Kunda’s death as heartbreaking. “It is with deep sorrow and grief that I learnt of the death of your dear husband Mr George Kunda SC, the former Republican Vice-President of Zambia,” read President Sata’s letter to Mrs Kunda in part.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, I extend my highest and sincere condolences to you, the children and the Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) for this painful loss.”
The Head of State stated that it was indeed tragic that the nation has lost yet another leader who served the country in various distinguished portfolios.
“Mr Kunda’s works as a lawyer for Luanshya District Council, as President of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and as Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency and Republican Vice-President have undeniably helped in strengthening our country’s political and economic capabilities,” President Sata stated.
“No doubt, the Zambian populace feel deeply sorry for the loss of a national leader of Mr Kunda’s stature and public service credentials, and share your family’s grief.”
[pullquote]“Therefore, in recognition of Mr Kunda’s contribution to this country, I have declared three days of national mourning with effect from Wednesday 18th April to 20th April, 2012, so that we can come together as a people in prayerful reflection and mourn our dear departed colleague with honour and dignity.”[/pullquote]
President Sata described the late former Vice-President as a resolved politician.
“I remember Mr Kunda from the early days of his career as a determined young lawyer at Luanshya District Council as well as his later days as a resolved politician who was never shy or afraid to exercise his democratic right to debate and devotedly defend his stance on many key national issues. Thereby enhancing and safeguarding our country’s democracy, which we all cherish dearly,” the President stated.
“And more recently, I last met Mr Kunda at State House when he accorded me the respect of accepting my invitation to join us for a luncheon hosted in honour of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Mr Ban Ki Moon when he visited the country in February this year.
“Therefore, in recognition of Mr Kunda’s contribution to this country, I have declared three days of national mourning with effect from Wednesday 18th April to 20th April, 2012, so that we can come together as a people in prayerful reflection and mourn our dear departed colleague with honour and dignity.”
President Sata prayed that the Kunda family takes comfort and solace in the understanding that the entire nation’s thoughts and prayers are with them during this devastating and excruciating period.
Indeed he deserves it.
GK was a liability to the nation. He wasted billions of kwacha and screewed up the constitution making process. Now we have to waste mo of our many re-doing the constitution. I am sure Gabriel will kick GK’s asss on arrival.
KCI, he was a lawyer and a lawyer acts on instructions from his principal. You may argue about ethics, but which lawyer in Zambia has any ethics?
Kekekekekekekekeke! awe tamunfwa bakalamba!
He deserves the period.
He deserves the period given by the government.
Go well Mr Kunda, i personally didnt like you politically but i know that you were a father, brother, husband to someone, and i surely hope that your family will have Gods guidance in these trying moments. We will all soon find you.
To those talking about evacuations, please tell us if the term “Evacuation” has now become a medical term for curing anything and everything. Evacuating someone doesn’t mean you care or will cure that person, its only done in specific circumstances, recommended by the doctors, were the patient is suffering from a rare disease that can not be taken care of in Zambia. Some ignorant people think that politicians are entitled to evacuations each time they fall sick. What is good for you is good for all politicians, Sata included.
IN HIS LAST DAYS, GEORGE UTTERED A LOT OF NONSENSE AND I CALLED HIM A PAIN IN THE ASS.
I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT HE HAD BEEN GOING THROUGH A LOT OF PAIN AND THE FEAR OF BEING INVESTIGATED.
WE WILL MOURN YOU THOUGH 3DAYS OF MOURNING IS TOO LONG. REST IN PEACE, WE WILL FIND YOU, DON’T JUST QUENCH THE FIRE, WE NEED TO FEEL IT ALL.
may every one that has passed a bad comment on a dead person here be cursed this week. let all your plans in life be vanity. and all you do be cursed. cursed shall you be in your future and family and plans too. and may you test death in your families too soon in jesus name
You said they be cursed this week.That means next week and the future they be free of the curse.Lol.
if you are condemed on earth even in heaven you are condemed, dont pretend and praise a person just becoz he is dead yet he mislead others and caused misery to alot of living souls, be real
The Period is too long, remember that these National mournings have their own impact on the economy……just a few days ago we had one and again we have 3days…..
Anyway respect to GK
THOSE WHO ARE TRYING 2 SAY BAD WORDS ON THE GERATEST LOSS OF GEORGE KUNDA ARE TUPONYAS LIKE UKWA,,,,,THIS A GREAT LOSS 2 DE NATION..MAY UR SOUL SIR REST IN PEACE!!!!!!!
iwe chimoses has the president said anything bad about the death of GK? this only shows that there are no morals where u come from and learn to respect the elders i think you dont respect your biological father, ngawaikuta porridge kuyafye mukunya noti wayamba ukusabile publicly go to hell and hung with GK
the pf gvnt must just three or more than that to mourn GK not just bcoz he was once a vp of zed but a goog friend of politics $ sata becz one day i meet them in one of the pubs in kamwala taking brown timwenge.rest in peace GK.
Good words Mr. President. M.H.S.R.I.P
At this rate, it should just be national mourning everyday!
kunda lied to parliament regarding the death of innocent lives in mongu. kunda, never showed remorse when it was learnt that people who were peaceful and unarmed were massacred in mongu, others jailed and some women raped, including school kids.
kunda did this knowing well that he was cheating. like them, he is now dead. and there is sadness.
whatever you do in leadership, always safeguard the lives of the powerless using your power. kunda and rupiah, with he help of mutharika, it is believed, used power to kill innocnt people. but we are not without a heart. the same pain we felt for our people, we do so for him as well, for all are created in the same image, the image of God.
hey hey! even mutharika was involved in the killings of WP? hmmm am scared kwashala RB ukufwa those pipo wre not supid to die innocently like that all those involved kuya bebele
Retards are taking over Lusaka Times comments …what a shame …you will all burn in hell
No!Kunda was a liability to the nation.He just deserves a minute of silence nothing more!
Go well GK, we will really miss your courage. You were a great man. RIP.
I knew his son who to be honest was not the sharpest too in the kitchen, called Howard.
Saying that I am saddened to hear of their loss, on behalf of Nick and my Scottish in laws I hope the family gets stronger
Thanks
Guys a national day or mourning I thought it meant the flags flying half way raised but thats just about it, is that correct? so it shouldnt affect the economy in anyway i would assume.
All activities of entertainment nature are to be cancelled.if your job is in entertainment,they have to be cancelled.meaning if you perform comedy,gigs etc no money in.
Rest in peace. My condolences to your family.
It was good to have you in our lives, we will greatly miss you SC GK.
Number 8_Chimoses ulitole what gives you fool the gutts to insult the head of state despite him according your late red lip 3 days national mourning.Ukayeko naku night school maybe you will start thinking striaght you bloody marketeer !
yah! when its politics ,lets do them and when its something else lets equally do it.
Countrymen, interested parties and Mushota,
In the medium and long term, I think it would be prudent to somehow not just consider, but incorporate the medical fitness of our leaders into some enforceable part of our constutution. Not to discriminate against such, but purely to protect the interests of the nation.
For instance, airline pilots (Botswana Airlines specifically) are required to pass regular fitness and HIV tests after one of their HIV +ve pilots went into a suicide fit whilst on duty.
Those of you who have drivers licences know the role of a basic eye examination and full physical fitness check as part of the requirement to be licenced to drive.
Why, oh why should we not require these basic fundamentals for those in the drivers seat of running an entire country?
Good shout
Thanks
No buddy, you can’t discriminate against sick people, otherwise you will have no ‘leader’ or government. At 56, he actually went beyond the Zambian Life Expectancy age – so he did well. Government leaders die too and they are not infallible.
And just what happens to those who acquire the disease or virus while serving – they got checked before the elections and they were alright and they later fall sick while serving… do they quit or resign and how are you going to know them (regular mandatory random tests?)
What you need to advocate for is improve medical facilities for all; reduce and strive to eliminate poverty for all – then everyone will live longer.
ba kunda wesu mwingalala mu cibote we no god is there to tek gud of his children i ll greatly miss en i no one day we ll meet again
ba kunda wesu mwingalala mu cibote we no god is there to tek gud care of his children i ll greatly miss u en i no one day we ll meet again amen
This is just too much for that George. *I’m literally biting my tongue*
Mushota ulimulwele mayo iwe hahaha
. Though he mislead the nation on some issues he deserves honorable departure because the status he had in serving our country, on other hand 3 days of nation mourning sounds too much on zambian economy 2 days would have being better. Anyway the unknown illness in this case is called AIDS RELATED COMPLEX( ARC), meaning his immune system was compromised.
Good gesture by our dear UKWA & GRZ
Hypocrites ,Hypocrites , Hypocrites ,
Died at 56, the man accomplished so much in life and positively contributed to Zambia. Only people who appreciate can appreciate that this man was a blessing to Zambia. We celebrate his life. He’s an inspiration to young people, especially those who would rather not end up a kaponya.
@2 KCI, liabilities are people like you who fight the dead. sic… Any disciplined soldier will respect a dead enemy, I thought this was basic….
He truly deserve this honour he was not afraid to speak his mind sometimes i had mixed feeling of him in terms of some of the decisons he made and even some positions he took when debating but when i saw the bigger picture i realised that he had good intentions. Rest in peace.
Wikashimya mulilo GK, tukakusanga! Too bad you are gone at this time when we really need the money you stole from us,the Zambian people. Hell waits!!!!!!!!
Rest In Eternal Peace,you were a very good Man!!!!
condolences to the kunda family. please let us mourn him whatever negative views we have for kunda.
“The dullest lawyer in Africa!”Atleast his contribution has bn acknowledgd after his death.If som1 knew Christ as his personal saviour,his soul automaticaly rests in peace!
Sata is happy when his political opponents are dying. He mocks people when they are sick to gain political mileage. All that has been written is just to hoodwink people, the true Sata will come out in the open when he goes to campaign for that seat. Watch the space, we know him.
#35, am equally surprised. this man not too long ago was referred to as the dullest lawyer in africa. So its true these guys just puke things they dont believe in just for a moment.
These are politicians baba. While bafuzi kill each other on the streets, they share wine and dollars behind closed doors. Don’t listen to them. They have perfected this act.
Sad news. MHSRIP and the bereaved be comforted.
m.h.s.r.p GK Zambia will miss you:)>-
BA GK RIP. YOU BE REMEMBERED FOR ROBBING THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE ON THE NCC MAKING PROCESE MAKING
Small minds can’t differentiate between politics and reality… In politics Kunda was a good opponent for PF… the reality is Kunda was our countrty-man, a comrade, compriote and dear husband to Irene Kunda.. RIP
And I quote: “Thereby enhancing and safeguarding our country’s democracy, which we all cherish dearly,” the President stated.” Yes, Zambians have been democratic but since when has President Sata being democratic???
M’m’m’m’m’m’m’! On second thought, knowing the true nature of Sata, it becomes complex to analyse or interpret Ukwa’s gesture as either being GENUINE or CYNNICAL. Mwitis are known to generate copious amounts of crocodile tears. It is best to mourn Ba Kunda in silence. Our thoughts go to the Family that has lost a bread winner. MHSRIP
pliz gk can not read nor hear the insults plz lets not bring politics pamalilo GOD help you r.i.p ba gk.
Nor can he read your R.I.P message!
5million Litres of Fuel donated to Malawi…!Why is fuel so expensive then in Zambia?
I wonder how many litres will be donated to Late George Kunda’s Funeral!:o
“”the children and the Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) for this painful loss”. Which children, all Zambian children? and why should children be same category as MMD?
More holidays next week, children will never learn anything in schools mwee.
…and another national mourning…yaba.
And these Zed politicians keep pegging everymonth it seems. Anyway, we mourn you GK.
R.I.P.
Another crook goes away easily, we all know GK was a walking coffin its was an open secret, say hi to FTJ let’s see if you will defend him in the ultimate court.
#7 Ulichipubasasana! What kind of prayer is that? Too much emmanuel tv with it’s prophesies of doom from its head sangoma! As for Ukwa. At the rate his enemies are going he will soon run out of crcodile tears and white lies. GK was a very exceptional man, excelent lawyer and inteligent politician. Africa needs more like him. In less than K months he put enough checks and balances on PF for them to start thinking and stop behaving like toddlers and graduate to grade 2 statys. Zambia has lost a gallant son indeed. MHRIP.
Kunda rest in peace, but I have to disagree with the President here. 3 Days is way over the top; he wasn’t President or anything but just a Veep (a controversial one for that matter).
This is yet another ‘Look at me’ publicity stunt by the President.
I believe ‘National Mourning’ means Public Holidays, right? If that’s the case, that’s where my disapproval is coming from, because it would 3 days of economic stagnation and unproductivity that will never be recovered.
Merely a ‘Moment of Silent’ minutes would have sufficed.
I hate to question Sata’s intentions but actually reading through this ‘3-days national mourning’ gesture, it appears Sata is somewhat ‘guilty’ for not evacuating Kunda abroad for specialty treatment and this is a way to save face (or so I think)… and the fact Kunda is from Muchinga, the newest Province in Zambia (or so I think again).
Whatever the case, I just hope Sata means well and Kunda’s soul rest in peace.
@Jigga you are wrong. Muchinga constituency is in Serenje district of CENTRAL province and not MUCHINGA province. And guys when it comes to politics we can tear each other but it does not mean I can’t mourn and recognise your work! Grow up Zedians. Kunda could not be evacuated due to the state he was in, you know.
Thanks for the correction Watchman… didn’t know at all.
Cheers!
Kunda held important positions in this country. Wether we like it or not, his decisions and deeds helped shape the Zambia of today. We didn’t agree but fact is that he was what he was OK. Additionally, Kunda was lala from Serenje, and so is Dr Kaseba the first lady.
National mourning means flags flying at half mast. No activities of intertainment nature. Solemn music is played on radio and TV whole day. BUT we have to report for work, open our businesses though performance is affected you know. Too much kachepa in corridohs.
Absenteeism at work will be rampant especially in Lusaka as many will claim to go for “paying last respects” as the body viewing or “lies in state” or whatever. That will indeed be an unproductive period, knowing our attitudes. One can even reach Kabwe or Kafue holidaying under pretext or purporting to be Kunda’s nephew. MYSRIEP GK.
Imfwa ilayanguka nga ili pamunobe. i take great exception of some bloggers who are rejoicing over another person’s death. God should curse all of you fools. George deserves respect from all well meaning Zambians. Let death strike in the families of all those who are disrespecting the dead former vice president so that they know what death really means.
Nostradamus , your English is bad. there are schools where you can learn grammar, punctuations etc. chizungu chili na rules boss
Condolences to the kunda family and the nation as a whole. MYSRIP, thank you for your service to this great nation
IRENE, REMEMBER YOUR HUB HOW HE DEFENDED MONGU KILINGS? I WISH HE FIRST LOST HIS SON JUST AFTER MONGU KILINGS. I DON’T CARE.
Whilst accepting that it is a prelogative of the President to declare National Mourning, let us NOT interfere too much with the day to day life of Zambians. Flags can fly at Half mast but other activities can GO on without interuption. Soccer Games must go on, music must NOT be controlled. It affects business. With imminent aging or aged former Politicians in Zambia, it means we shall be having national Mourning too frequent and affecting those that have no connections to the departed.
@#7 you are such foool makandi yobe!!!!!!!!!!
Death is death, lets thank our the President and the PF govt for what they have done. This shows that the govt cares regardless of political differencies. M.H.S.R.P (GK).
#Number 13 nishani, you could be right but not at the moment please….RIP Kunda
RIP or not! Its between you and God mwempumbu mwe. If he asked for forgiveness then fine, if he didn’t tough! James 3:2
3 days way too long
We mourn you, State Counsel
I remember this man was issued a name of the dullest lawyer in Africa. Today we are praising him when he is gone. We are only appreciated when we are dead.
all those who wre involved in the mongu killings kuya bebele, Mutharika, GK………………………wapya munzi!
This is the man foul – mouthed Ukwa called “red – lips” just before the elections. This is ‘double speak’ coming out of Ukwa. It is said that people are eulogised in death, but I doubt Ukwa means a word a says about Georgie. May Georgie’s soul rest in peace.
sage no.70 go to hell and hung with GK
manje take back his mealie mealie you confiscated from his mother
The picture says alot about HE MCS and GK’s friendship. So when Sata says by-gones are by-gones he means it; even when he declared a national mourning for GK he meant just that.
go well GK till we meet
Word of condolonces and words exchanged during political discourse can not be equated, let alone used against any mourner!!!
MHSRIP, dont talk too much, hes better off where he is than you most of you fools still uttering bad words on a dead man … remember we are all passer bys
M.H.S.R.I.P. Thank you Mr. President despite the wrongs / differences, we should as a nation come together in such matters. Let us mourn Kunda in Peace and respect his departure. MMD cadres learn to appreciate than politicize everything.
Mayo Sata Kaseba, you are a true leader and inspire us. We salute you. Work with Former First ladies and all 2nd ladies. Together you will do a lot for our people.
To be honest, George Kunda was one arrogant b.a.stard who cheated Zambians out of hard earned tax money. He should be quizzed by St Paul at the Pearly Gates.
Onbehalf of the people of Malawi I extend my Condolences to the family, Government, My dear brothers and Sisters of Zambia and the MMD, for the great loss of former Vice president Right Hon George Kunda, “MALIRO NKULILANA” MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
tembo was not given that much respect so i say it is too much,plus the mulugushi is taking things too far…