Kasama body viewing ceremony incident free
Ministry of Home Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary, Solomon Jere has described the body viewing ceremony of the late President Levy Mwanawasa as incident free despite the commotion that occurred as people jostled to view the body.
People at Kasama stadium pushed down a wall of the stadium as they pushed their way in to view the body of the late President.
Dr. Jere, who was in charge of security at the stadium said the commotion was caused by the excited people who did not want to follow the queue to the body viewing point.
He said security personnel from the Zambia Police, the Zambia Army, the Zambia Air Force, the Zambia National Service and the Zambia Prisons Service moved in quickly to restore order.
Meanwhile, the body viewing ceremony in Kasama ended at 17:14 hours from the proposed 16:30 hours.
The extension of the body viewing ceremony was due to a large turn out of people.
And chief of protocol, Darius Bubala said it was not possible for everyone to view the body because there were too many people that turned up.
Mr. Bubala said the body would be taken to Mansa tomorrow at 06:00 hours.
And in Chipata thousands of people from all the eight districts of Eastern province this morning gathered at the Chipata airport to pay their last respects to the late Republican President, Dr. Levy Mwanawasa.
The people started arriving at the airport as early as 6:00 hours.
A check by ZANIS in town found people in strategic positions waiting to be ferried to the airport.
Those present at the airport included paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people , representative of Kalonga Gawa Undi of the Chewa people in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Joseph Chikuta and other traditional leaders from around the province.
Government officials included Eastern province Minister, Charles Shawa, Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament from Eastern Province, heads of parastatal companies, the business community and the church.
First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa and other relatives to the late Dr. Mwanawasa arrived, together with the body of the late President Mwanawasa, at the airport 08:36 hours.
The body was received at the airport by Mr. Shawa and other senior government officials.
The military personnel, who were at hand to receive the body, conducted the military procession, carried the casket of late President Mwanawasa and later laid it on the dais before body viewing.
And Speaking before body viewing commenced, Mr. Shawa described late Dr. Mwanawasa as a hero and gallant son of Zambia, who facilitated a number of developmental projects in the province.
Mr. Shawa, who quoted 1 Samuel 4:22 and liken the late Dr. Mwanawasa to David in the Bible, said the late president was a leader, a brother, a mentor and a father.
He said the late President Mwanawasa revitalized the Chipata-Mchinji railway project, which is scheduled to be completed this year.
He further said the late head of state had a passion for the agriculture sector, which led to increased crop production in the province.
He said the departed President’s commitment to the sector led to government increasing the subsidies on the Fertilizer Support Programme from 60 per cent to 75 per cent.
Mr. Shawa said a number of road works were currently ongoing that on the Chipata-Lundazi road, adding that 23 pieces of earth moving machines have already arrived in the district.
And MMD Provincial Executive Committee Chairman, Kennedy Zulu, said the province had lost a father who had done a lot of work to reduce poverty.
Due to the President’s commitment to develop the area, Mr. Zulu said a lot of investors were attracted in the province.
He said the late President has helped to build the party in the province such that it can now boast of having the strongest party in the province.
Meanwhile, the body viewing has ended and the body has since been flown to Kasama.
However a lot of people that gathered at the airport to pay their last respects to the departed President did not viewed the body because of the massive turn out of the people.
Military personnel had a tough time to control the people that wanted to have a glimpse of the late President Mwanawasa’s body.
Meanwhile a boy was injured in the stampede and was rushed to the hospital.
President Levy Mwanawasa died last week at France’s Percy Military Hospital following a stroke he suffered on June 29, this year while attending the Africa Union Summit in Egypt.
Meanwhile, business came to a stand still in Chipata district this morning as people from all districts of the province went to pay their last respects to late President Levy Mwanawasa.
And the Eastern Province Royal Foundation has appreciated government’s move to allow the people of in the province to be the first to view the body of Dr Mwanawasa among the eight provinces.
Most shops in both the town center and the second class trading area closed to allow both shop keepers and shop owners, attend the body viewing ceremony of the late Dr. Mwanawasa, which took place at Chipata airport.
A check by ZANIS found all shops closed at the second class trading area, formerly known as Down Shops, while a few shops remained open for business at the town centre.
And all government and private offices remained closed to let officers attend the sorrowful occasion.
A few people that were found in town said they wanted to go to the airport but failed to do so because of lack of transport.
Owen Kapembwa of Kapata Township said he was unable to go to the airport because he could not manage to get on the trucks that were ferrying people because of his physical disability.
Masiye Muyunda explained that he did not manage to get to the picking point at Barclays Square in town early enough for him to access transport.
Trucks from both the public and private sector went to pick up mourners at various points in all district of the province.
ZANIS/MK/LN/PN/LM/KSH/ENDS
BOZ opens state funeral account
The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has opened a state funeral account to ease government’s financial burden of conducting the funeral of the late President Levy Mwanawasa and subsequent by elections.
BoZ Head of Public Relations, Kanguya Mayondi said the ongoing state funeral and the subsequent presidential by-election would have a significant financial drain from the national treasury.
“The ongoing state funeral and subsequent presidential elections will have a significant impact on the national treasury and the implementation of the remaining projects for the 2008 budget,” Mr. Mayondi said.
Mr. Mayondi told ZANIS in a statement this evening that it was in this vain that the central bank decided to open a “state funeral account”, whose number is 0014931764530.
“The account was opened last week on Friday, 22nd, August 2008 and is aimed at receiving contributions towards national event from Banks, private organizations and any other well wisher,” he said.
He said as the proceeds of the state funeral account would be accumulating, they would be handed over to government before the burial day of the late President, which is September 3rd, 2008.
Mr. Mayondi said BoZ Governor, Caleb Fundanga has since urged banks to open similar accounts into which customers and the general public were able to make contributions.
“These contributions will then be channeled through the Bank of Zambia to the government of the Republic of Zambia,” he said.
Dr. Mwanawasa died on August 19th, 2008 in Paris where he was admitted and treated for a stroke.
Government has declared a 21 day national mourning period for the late President.
Two days ago, Barclays bank Zambia also opened an account whose proceeds would go towards funeral expenses.
ZANIS/KSH/ENDS.
Taking of Levy’s body to provinces is not contempt
Kitwe elder man Patrick Tembo has said the decision by government to take the body of late President Levy Mwanawasa to provinces for body viewing did not mean disrespecting the deceased head of state.
Mr. Tembo said people should not misunderstood this decision, adding that it was not fair for some people to think that government was using the death of Dr Mwanawasa as campaign trick for the ruling party.
In interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, Mr. Tembo said people, who felt that it was costly to take the body to all provincial centres, were doing that in bad faith.
He said not all people could afford to travel to Lusaka to pay their last respect to their beloved President hence the decision by government to take the body to provinces.
And Kitwe Town Clerk, Ali Simwinga, said it was a great honour by government to take the body to the people who elected him into office.
Mr. Simwinga said people would be grateful to honour the departed President by viewing the body of a leader who worked very hard for Zambia.
He also said the good things that the President stood for should not end with his death but should be continued.
Meanwhile, the Zambia National Former Councillors Association (ZNFCA) said the country has lost a sincere leader who had a vision of harmonizing and reconciling the nation.
ZNFCA president, Gabriel Chishimba prayed that the Almighty God should grant the nation the love, vision, strength and resolve needed to realise late Dr. Mwanawasa’s dream for a better nation.
He said the executive and all members of the association were mourning Dr. Mwanawasa with deep sorrow and grief.
Kitwe Mayor, Divo Katete, has taken a swipe at opposition political leaders for allegedly misleading Zambian’s over the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s leadership, whose economic policies have helped turn Zambia’s economy around.
ZANIS Kitwe reports that Mr. Katete, who is from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF), alleged that most of the Zambian political leaders were not honest and consistent with their criticism about the President.
He said it was such criticism that had made some Zambians believe that Dr. Mwanawasa’s economic policies were bad when in fact not.
He said the late President Mwanawasa could have achieved a lot in his tenure of office if the Zambian opposition political leaders had supported his policies and told people truth about his achievement.
Mr. Katete said this at Kitwe District Commissioner, Macdonald Mtine’s office, when he signed the book of condolences opened in memory of Dr. Mwanawasa today.
Dr. Mwanawasa passed away at Percy Military Hospital in France on Tuesday last week.
He urged the Zambian political leaders to be honest when making criticisms and not just say good things and honour a sitting president he has passed on.
He said opposition leaders could have told Zambians the truth about the late President’s leadership so that more Zambians could appreciate and supported his work.
Mr. Katete appealed to politicians to bring sanity in Zambian politics and honour national leaders while they were still alive.
And speaking earlier, Mr. Mtine urged Zambians to bury their differences by loving one another as demonstrated by the late Dr. Mwanawasa.
Mr. Mtine said the late Dr. Mwanawasa preached love, unity and reconciliation values which he said must be emulated by all Zambians.
And Town Clerk, Ali Simwinga, said the late Dr. Mwanawasa had facilitated the implementation of various developmental projects which had added value to the economy.
Mr. Simwinga said the K14 billion market rehabilitation programme, the construction of a shopping mall and the Kitwe water rehabilitation project were some of the major projects the late President facilitated to ensure that there was development in the city.
And High Court Judges, Magistrates and members of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) also signed in the book of condolences which was opened at the Boma offices at 08:00 hours today.
Others, who signed the book, were political leaders from various political parties, heads of government departments and Kitwe residents.
ZANIS/LK/KSH/ENDS
Levy to be buried at Embassy Park
The late President Levy Mwanawasa will be buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka and not at his Palabana farm as earlier stated, government has announced.
The Embassy Park is situated off Independence Avenue, opposite the Cabinet Office in Lusaka.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja announced this in a press statement in Lusaka today.
“Government wishes to inform the general public that upon further discussions and consultations with the first family of our late republican President, Dr. Levy Mwanawasa, SC, it has been resolved to change the venue where he shall be put to rest,” Dr. Kanganja said.
He said, “Therefore, the late republican President Dr. Mwanawasa will be buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka and not at his Palabana farm.”
Earlier, government had announced that Dr. Mwanawasa would be buried at his Palabana farm in Chongwe district on September 3rd, 2008.
Dr. Mwanawasa, who died in Paris on Tuesday 19th August, leaves behind a wife and six children.
ZANIS/YK/KSH/ENDS
I wont contest presidential by-election – Mulongoti
Chief government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti, says he has no intentions to contest the presidential by- elections slated for November this year.
Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, told journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka today that he would not apply to contest the presidency because he wanted to concentrate on his work.
“Let me categorically state that I have no wish to contest the by-elections but it is however open to other MMD members who wish to participate,” he said.
“I am the Chairman of elections for the MMD and how would it look if I contested the Presidency? Automatically it would mean I would do everything possible to get everything in my favour,” Mr. Mulongoti said.
Mr. Mulongoti has also appealed to MMD party members wishing to contest the presidency to file in their nominations after the period of national mourning.
He charged that party members should be moral and not panic to file in their nominations until after the burial of the late President Mwanawasa.
“I am appealing to those of our members who are panicking to file in their applications to hold on to their letters until the period of national mourning is over,” Mr. Mulongoti said.
He however said that all party members were free to file in their applications.
The Presidential by-elections have been necessitated by the death of President Mwanawasa.
Dr Mwanawasa died at Percy Military hospital in Paris, France on the 19th August 2008 where he was admitted after he suffered a stroke.
The late President fell ill in Egypt while attending the African Union (AU) heads of state summit on June 29th, 2008.
He will be put to rest on the 3rd of September 2008 at Embassy Park, off independence avenue, opposite cabinet office in Lusaka.
Government has since declared 21days of national mourning.
ZANIS/YK/CM/KSH/ENDS.
Zambia Monday Football Round-up
9 over age players have been dropped from the Zambia Under-17 national team training camp in Lusaka.
The 9 were all part of the original 24-member team unveiled by Faz last week that went into camp in Lusaka on Saturday.
They include ex-Zambia schools goalkeeper Thomas Njovu of Afrisports, defender Lawrence Chungu of Police Blue Stars and Simon Nkhoma of K-Stars.
Others Kenny Lungu, Mulenga Macha, Ken Mwanza, Nicholas Musonda, Stephen Kanyala and Kennedy Mumba.
Meanwhile the Under-17 team is due to break camp on Tuesday with the cancellation of their Algeria 2009 Caf Africa Under-17 Cup 1st round 1st leg qualifier against Namibia looming.
The game, scheduled for August 30 in Lusaka, is likely to be postponed due to the 21-day of national mourning for president Levy Mwanawasa who died on August 19 in Paris.
Meanwhile, Faz say they will know in the next 24 hours whether they will or will not host Togo on September 6 in a 2010 Word/ Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier in Chililabombwe.
Faz say they have written to Fifa over the possible postponement of the match and expect an official reply from Zurich before the end of the day on Tuesday.
The match is scheduled to be played 3 days after Mwanawasa is put to rest on September 3 at his farm just east of Lusaka at Palabana.
The period of national mourning ends on September 8.
And the Zambia national team returns home Monday night from Europe after completing a 10-days training camp in Germany.
The team is expected to regroup on Thursday in Kitwe.
Sata ejected from body viewing late Levy’s body in Chipata
There was confusion at Chipata Airport in Eastern province this morning when opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata, was ordered to leave the body viewing ceremony of the late President Levy Mwanawasa.
The visibly disturbed Mr. Sata was seen being escorted by security officers away from the ceremony shortly after the arrival of First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa.
Mr. Sata said in an interview as he was leaving the airport that Mrs. Mwanawasa did not assent to his presence and attendance of the ceremony.
He said the first lady asked him whether he was invited to the occasion when he went to greet her.
He said the first lady feared that he was politicizing the death of the President.
Mr. Sata said he was shocked with Mrs. Mwanawasa’s reaction especially that the ceremony was a sorrowful event where people did not need to be invited to attend the funeral.
“I am saddened with her behaviour because this is a state funeral and anyone can attend. I’m not politicizing the issue,” he said.
Mr. Sata stated that he was going to mourn the President and no one should stop him from doing so because Dr. Mwanawasa was a President for everyone.
The PF leader, who called ZNBC reporters to witness his departure, indicated that he would go to the next destination after Chipata.
But when asked which his next destination would be, Mr. Sata said it would not be of news if he revealed.
And asked what he would do next since his program had been cut short, Mr. Sata said he had completed his program, saying his plan was to receive the body of the President and leave after the guard of honour.
Mr. Sata arrived at the airport at 07:00 hours left at 10:45 this morning.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister, Charles Shawa explained that Mr. Sata was sent off to avoid politicizing the funeral of Dr. Mwanawasa.
Mr. Shawa told ZANIS that Mr. Sata was given an opportunity to view the body in Lusaka yesterday and therefore, he did not need to go to all provincial headquarters to do what he could have done in Lusaka.
Earlier, Mr. Sata mingled with cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, and chiefs before he was sent off.
Freedom fighter unhappy over Mwanawasas proposed burial site
A former freedom fighter, Mpundu Mutembo, has appealed to government to rescind its decision to bury the late President Levy Mwanawasa at his Palabana farm.
Mr. Mutembo says Dr. Mwanawasa should be buried at a known common site because he died whilst on duty.
He said an official burial site for distinguished Zambian men and women should be identified.
Mr. Mutembo told ZANIS in an interview in Kasama today that burying Dr. Mwanawasa at his Palabana farm will not do because such a move amounts to hiding away Dr. Mwanawasa from Zambians and other people that might want to be visiting the burial site.
He said the burial site of a person such as a president should be a national memorial site which is accessible to all Zambians and the world at large.
Mr. Mutembo, 74, who resides in Mbala in the Northern Province, became a symbol of national heroes on 31st December, 1963 at the age of 30 when he was sculptured to reflect national heroes. His statue presently stands in front of the Government Complex building.
Meanwhile, Chief Chibesa Kunda of the Bemba people has said the successor of Dr. Mwanawasa should be principled as Dr. Mwanawasa was a principled man.
He said the country has lost a sober and disciplined man who endeavored to propel national development.
He said Dr. Mwanawasa worked tirelessly to uplift the living standards of the people Zambians.
Government has announced that President Mwanawasa will be put to rest on September 3, at his Palabana farm.
Govt Assures Lusaka Mourners of More Viewing Days
Government has assured Lusaka residents that it will provide alternative days for the viewing of the late President Mwanawasa’s body which will today close at 18:00 hours.
In a Press Statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja said residents who may not have an opportunity to view the body before the stated time will be accorded an opportunity to do so on Friday 29th August from 13:00 to 18:00 hours.
Dr. Kanganja added that the residents will also view the body on Saturday 30th August from 08:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 31st August from 08:00 to 18:00 hours.
He noted that government and the first family appreciate the outpouring of grief and prayers by the general public and the religious community during the mourning period.
The body viewing for Lusaka residents opened this morning at 08:00 with Vice President Rupiah Banda being the first to pay his last respects to the late Dr. Mwanawasa who died in Paris, France last Tuesday.
Meanwhile Scores of Lusaka residents have continued queuing up to pay their last respects to the late head of state who is lying in repose at Mulungushi International Conference Center.
By press time multitudes were still lined up in a queue stretching from the entrance of the main hall through great east road down to Olympia residential area behind Parliament.
Multitudes of Zambians both young and old today turned up to pay their last respects to President Mwanawasa at Mulungushi International Conference Center.
The mourners who were mostly clad in Black and national colours filed past Dr. Mwanawasa’s casket amid tight security provided by Military police from the defence forces. Some of the mourners wept uncontrollably while others collapsed.
Security wings were however on hand to ensure orderliness during the procession.
Vice President Rupiah Banda was the first to pay his last respects at about 08:19 hours followed by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa and First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
Second Republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina paid their last respects at 11:48 hours while opposition Patriotic Front President Micheal Sata paid his last respects in the afternoon at about 15:07 hours.
Notable among others who paid their last respects to President Mwanawasa were Cabinet Ministers, Deputies, Senior Government officials, UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and All People’s Congress Party President Kenny Ngondo.
Others were Heritage Party President Godfrey Miyanda, Members of Parliament, Councilors led by Acting Mayor of Lusaka Mary Phiri and Town Clerk Timothy Hakuyu and members of the Law fraternity.
Former Vice Presidents Dr. Nevers Mumba and Enock Kavindele were also among the mourners who paid their last respects in the morning.
By 15:00 hours scores of people were still lined up in a long queue stretching from the entrance of the Main hall through great east road down to Olympia residential area behind Parliament building.
And government has said a number of foreign heads of state are expected in the country to attend President Mwanawasa’s funeral.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande told ZANIS in an interview that Chadian President Idris Derby has already confirmed attendance.
Mr. Pande said a good number of heads of state are expected to confirm attendance now that the date of Dr. Mwanawasa’s burial has been set.
He noted that government hopes that in the course of this week, more heads of state will confirm attendance because President Mwanawasa was held in high regard in the region for his leadership.
Meanwhile, PF President Michael Sata has called for calm as the nation mourns President Mwanawasa.
Mr. Sata said citizens and leaders should be honest and avoid engaging in theft and corruption just because Dr. Mwanawasa has passed on.
ZANIS/BK/AM/ENDS.
Members with Corruptions Charges to be excluded-Mpombo
The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) will not allow any of its members accused of corruption from contesting the presidential by-elections on the party ticket.
Defence Minister George Mpombo confirmed today that MMD had started the nomination process for candidates wanting to contest the presidential elections on behalf of the MMD and that the nominations would close on Tuesday..
National Executive Committed (NEC) would elect a candidate on September 5 instead of holding a national convention because there was little time to organise a convention.
“The MMD will ensure that people with political careers dented with corruption don’t contest because they will obviously be a liability to the party. We are alive to the immediate consequences of electing such people,” Mpombo said.
Mpombo said Mwanawasa’s legacy would have to be upheld by his successor.
“We are looking for a leader with the vision to reinvigorate the president’s policy on (sound) agriculture, to restore confidence to investors and somebody who will stand for national reconciliation. It should be somebody with a big vision on development and unity,” Mpombo added
Meanwhile, the Muslim Association of Chipata district has called on Zambians to elect a credible leader who can continue with the vision of achieving a stable economy in line with the late President Mwanawasa’s aspirations.
Association chairperson Salim Daya said Dr Mwanawasa had shown his dedication to improve economy of Zambia through the promotion of sound economic policies that encouraged foreign investors to handsomely invest into the country.
Mr. Daya told ZANIS in Chipata today that the improvement of road infrastructure in Eastern Province has enhanced agriculture in the area.
He pointed out that the province is now rated highly in agricultural production due to the good policies of government under the leadership of Dr. Mwanawasa.
“All this has been achieved due to the good leadership qualities portrayed by our late president who had the development of the country at heart,” he said.
Mr. Daya said there is need to elect a leader who has similar qualities to those of president Mwanawasa and pick up from where Dr. Mwanawasa left.
He has since urged Zambians to be cautious and elect a leader who will take the country forward.
ZANIS/HN/LB/CM/AM/ENDS
Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria
Eternity Is In Your Heart
Today’s Scripture
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds, a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy (Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP).
Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria
God has placed eternity in the hearts of mankind. Everything we experience not only serves a purpose here on earth, but it serves a purpose for eternity. Right now, God is working in you and putting inside of you everything you need to fulfill your eternal destiny. He is making you ready to rule and reign with Him. As long as you are moving forward and gaining strength, you are gaining eternal victory.
View what’s going on in your life with an eternal perspective. You have a higher calling; you have a greater purpose. Focus on what God is doing in your life. Don’t allow the little irritations to get you off course or distract you from what God has called you to do. Open your heart and mind and allow Him to prepare you for eternity. As you keep an eternal perspective and stay determined to be who God has called you to be you will see His hand moving in your life and you will live as an overcomer now and throughout eternity.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for placing eternity in my heart. Help me stay focused on things that have eternal value so that I can live to give You glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Joel Osteen ministries
Body viewing set for tomorrow
The body of late President Levy Mwanawasa, which arrived in the country this morning, is lying-in-state at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Tomorrow has since been set as day for viewing of the body of the President who died on August 19 in Paris France, where he was hospitalised after suffering a stroke in Egypt on June 29.
Zambians from all walks of life thronged the Mulungushi International Conference centre to have a glimpse of the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa.
Only a limited number of people were, however, allowed entry into the Mulungushi Hall where the body is lying-in-state, a measure taken to ensure the programme is conducted in an orderly and dignified manner.
The Zambia Army Brass Band blew trumpets while an army brigade gave a military salute as the Casket containing Dr Mwanawasa’s body was laid on the dais placed at the centre of the main hall at MICC.
The brass band also played some solemn music as First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, and Acting President Rupiah Banda, laid the wreaths on the dais on which the body is placed.
Prominent among the mourners were First President, Kenneth Kaunda, opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and Catholic Nuncio Grasoli.
Others were Chief Justice Enerst Sakala, Speaker of National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, Members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties, civil society and union leaders.
Zambia Army Chaplain Reverend Colonel, James Phiri, said the late President Mwanawasa left a legacy because he put in place a pattern that he adhered to when executing programmes.
Rev. Col. Phiri prayed that the first family, government and the nation as whole accept the death of Dr Mwanawasa because only God knew the purpose why the President died before accomplishing is mandate.
He challenged political leaders to ensure that the ‘tourch of leadership’ from the late Dr Mwanawasa is handed over to a person who would handle national affairs in a manner that would positively impact on the welfare of the people.
He expressed hope that God would give Zambia a successor who would have the interest of the people at heart.
Rev. Col.Phiri indicated to the First Lady Mrs Mwanawasa that Zambians were praying without ceasing for improved health of Dr Mwanawasa during the period he was hospitalised.
He assured the first family of continued spiritual support through prayers during the trying moment.
ZANIS/ENDS/SJK/AM
Prof Chirwa to stay away from the MMD presidential race
Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), Presidential hopeful Professor Clive Chirwa has disclosed that he will not float his name for the party’s presidential candidate in the forth-coming by-election following the death of President Mwanawasa.
Professor Chirwa says he has no intentions to stand as MMD’s presidential aspirant because he was preparing for the 2011 general elections.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that he has decided not to float his name as MMD’s presidential hopeful because of the need to maintain stability in the ruling party following the untimely demise of Dr Mwanawasa.
Professor Chirwa, who is also a United Kingdom (UK) based University Lecturer urged the Zambian people to vote for a credible candidate whom he said will add to the virtues of President Mwanawasa when the country goes to the polls.
When asked which party he would support in the forth-coming Presidential by-elections, Professor Chirwa said that he will rally behind the MMD party as it was the only party that was committed to uplifting the living standards of its people.
Professor Chirwa said there is need for the country to vote for a credible and mature candidate that will be an economic manager of the country and who is going to continue with fight against corruption in the country.
Meanwhile, Professor Chirwa has advised investors in the country not to pull out their investment portfolios following the untimely death of President Mwanawasa.
He said there is no need for investors to panic about their investment portfolios in Zambia as government was doing everything possible to continue with the prudent economic management and good governance despite the death of Dr Mwanawasa.
He said investors in the country and those intending to invest in the country should not panic as the country’s economic fundamentals were on track and not changed in any way to suit certain interests of some political leaders in the country.
Professor Chirwa said government through the leadership of the acting President Rupiah Banda will continue with its prudent economic management and fiscal discipline and adhering to the tenets of good governance.
He further disclosed that he has brought British investors whom he said were in the process of investing in the country’s road construction industry, railway and mining sectors respectively.
In a related development, Former Vice President Enock Kavindele has advised MMD presidential aspirants to desist from discussing the party’s Presidential successions before the burial of the late President Mwanawasa.
Mr. Kavindele said that it was too early for MMD’s presidential hopefuls to start announcing their intentions to stand as the party’s Presidential aspirants in the forth-coming Presidential by-elections.
The former Vice President has since advised the MMD party to remain calm and peaceful as they mourn President Mwanawasa with dignity and respect.
And Zambia’s renowned soccer commentator Denis Liwewe has described Dr Mwanawasa’s death as a big blow to the entire Zambian sports fraternity.
Mr. Liwewe told ZANIS in a separate interview in Lusaka today that the sports fraternity in Zambia has learnt with the deepest sense of shock and sorrow of the untimely death of Dr Mwanawasa.
He said President Mwanawasa during his reign as Zambia’s Republican President and Patron of Sports in the country devised an effective sports action plan that looked into the development of the sports fraternity in the country.
Mr. Liwewe said the sports fraternity in the country, will greatly miss Dr Mwanawasa’s leadership as he had provided impeccable leadership for both the country and Africa as a whole.
He conveyed his deepest condolences on behalf of the sports fraternity to the First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, First family, the people of Zambia and the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).
ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS
The body of President Mwanawasa arrives in country
The body of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died on Tuesday at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France has arrived in the country.
A huge French Airforce plane carrying President Mwanawasa’s body touched down at Lusaka International Airport at 08:55 hours and was escorted by three Zambia Airforce jets.
Fifteen minutes earlier, the presidential challenger plane, which was carrying relatives of the late Dr Mwanawasa, landed signifying that the French plane carrying the late President was on its way.
First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, some family members, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Gender Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda and Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe accompanied the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa from France to Lusaka.
Immediately the plane touched down, a sombre mood gripped the airport grounds as hundreds of mourners broke into wailing.
The Baptist Church and Movement for Multi Party Democracy women choirs sang solemn songs.
Acting President Rupiah Banda, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwaa and service chiefs were at hand to receive the body of the late Head of State.
Upon arrival, pall bearers comprising personnel from all defence forces took position near the plane in readiness to carry the late President’s casket, which was draped in the Zambian flag, to the saluting dias.
With a slow march, the pall bearers carried the casket to the saluting dias after which the national anthem was sang and the 21 gun salute performed simultaneously. The fly past was also conducted with three jets.
Immediately after the national anthem and the 21 gun salute, the Zambia Army Brass Band solemnly played Rock of Ages song.
The casket was then carried by pall bearers to the Gun carriage where it was placed in readiness to be taken to Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Mulungushi Conference Centre is where the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa will lie-in State.
The Presidential motorcade led the way, followed by the military VIP convoy.
The convoy moved slowly on its way to Mulungushi Conference Centre as solemn Lusaka residents lined up to witness the funeral procession.
Zambian flags and posters of the late President were mounted on the road leading to the Airport.
The body will lie in State at Mulungushi Conference Centre starting today (Saturday)until Monday morning after which it will be taken to all the nine Provincial Centres of the country.
On Friday, the body will be taken back to Mulungushi to lie in State until September 1.
On Tuesday, September 2nd, the body will be taken to State House where it will lie in State in readiness for burial the following day at his Palabana farm.
The late Dr Mwanawasa died after he suffered a stroke. He fell ill on June 29th 2008 while attending the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Egypt.