Several African Heads of State and Government have paid tribute to the late fourth republican President Rupiah Banda at the state funeral in Lusaka today.

The Heads of State and Government have described the late Mr. Banda as a selfless man who fought to promote peace and unity not only in Zambia but the entire African region.

Former president of Botswana, Ian Khama, described the late Mr. Banda as a warm, kind, gentle and unifying person who gave wise counsel to those who needed it at the right time.

Lieutenant Gen Khama said, “He had a wonderful personality and was too nice to be a politician. Some politicians are good while some are bad. Rupiah Banda was a good man for Zambia”.

Former President of Malawi, Bakili Muluzi, said the late president Banda was an outstanding and humble president to many people, both locally and internationally.

Dr. Muluzi said the late president set an example to African leaders when he peacefully handed over power after being defeated by Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front in 2011.

“He was an asset not only to Zambia but the rest of Africa,” he said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the late Mr. Banda worked tirelessly in the liberation struggle for many African countries, including South Africa.

President Ramaphosa said this in a speech read on his behalf by South African Ambassador to Zambia Barbara Masekela.

And African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamat Faki Moussa said the late President Banda will be remembered for his contribution towards the election observer missions which he led and diligently served across the African continent.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf by African Union Commissioner for Trade, Albert Muchanga.

Mr. Moussa said the late President Banda will be remembered as a patriot and national leader who contributed to peace and unity across the region.

And speaking on behalf of the President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in that country, Eric Molale, said the late president Banda was a gallant man who fought for the emancipation of many countries from the apartheid regime.

President Masisi said the late Mr. Banda advocated and worked for the integration of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) grouping.

Speaking at the same event, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta described the late fourth republican president Mr. Banda as an exceptional servant who dedicated his life to the service of Zambia and the African continent at large.

He said this in a message delivered by Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, James Wainana.

“It was with profound sorrow that I learnt of the death of President Rupiah Banda. His death has robbed us of a gallant leader and patriot who upheld the highest level of professionality,” he said.

President Kenyatta said the late president advocated for peace, reconciliation and democracy.

He said Mr. Banda had vast experience as a diplomat and supported various peace initiatives in Africa.

The Kenyan President added that Zambia and Kenya continue to share strong bilateral relationships.

The late Mr. Banda died on 11th March 2022 and will be buried at the memorial Embassy Park in Lusaka tomorrow, 18th March 2022.

Meanwhile, -President of Namibia Hage Geingob and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnagangwa, as well as other foreign dignitaries that attended the funeral of late fourth president Rupiah Banda in Lusaka today, have left Zambia for their various countries.

Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnagangwa was the first one to leave at exactly 15:10 hours and was seen off by Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba, Zimbabwe embassy staff and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.

President Mnangagwa has since urged upcoming politicians to emulate late fourth President Mr. Banda to serve the people with love and peace.

He said the late president Banda was an iconic leader who preached peace, love and unity for Zambia’s economic emancipation.

And Namibian President, Hage Geingob, was second to leave at exactly 15:25 hours and was followed by former president of Botswana Ian Khama at exactly 15:50 hours.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in Botswana, Eric Molale, has also left.

Former president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete and his wife Salma Kikwete, left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at exactly 17:00hours and were seen off by Tanzania embassy staff and foreign affairs officials.

Former President of Mozambique, Joachim Chisano, will leave tomorrow while Malawi’s former President Bakili Muluzi will go back on Saturday.

The Mansa Magistrate Court has adjourned to March 18, 2022 for possible plea, the matter in which United Party for National Development (UPND) National Deputy Chairperson Stephen Chikota and 10 others are facing five counts among them riotous conduct.

Eight of the 11 accused persons appeared before Magistrate Moses Mulenga on Wednesday for plea but could not take off as Senior Public Prosecutor Wilson Mwale told the court that the trial magistrate was not present and that three other accused persons namely, Davies Mulenga, Shadrick Banda and Jones Kabwe where absent from the court.

Mr. Mwale said there has been no reason advanced for the absence of the three accused persons adding that their sureties were aware that they were supposed to appear before the court on the same day with the eight others.

He further informed the court that the State will make the necessary application with regard to the three accused who were absent when the trial court sits further stating that 10 of the 11 accused persons are on bail.

The eleven accused persons are facing one count of riotous conduct, obstruction of a public road, criminal trespass and two counts of malicious damage to property contrary to Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

ZANIS reports that in February, 2022, Police in Mansa arrested about 23 UPND cadres led by their National Deputy Chairperson Stephen Chikota who attempted to access the mining site in Muombe area of Chief Kundamfumu in Chembe district.

A 34 year old pastors of Kapiri Mposhi appeared in court for allegedly raping and impregnating his 17 year old step daughter.

Before Kapiri Mposhi Magistrate Edward Banda was Alex Kunda of valley view compound facing one count of rape contrary to Section 132 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 as read with Act number 2 of 2011 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that between November 12 and 20, 2022, Kunda had unlawful carnal knowledge of his stepdaughter, without her consent.

The girl who is currently five months pregnant is a grade eleven pupil at a named school in Kapiri Mposhi.

Kunda has pleaded not guilty to the charge prompting magistrate Banda to set March 23, 2022 as date for trial in this matter.

Kunda was arrested on February 25, 2022 and is on police bond.

Mansa based Principal Resident Magistrate, Silvia Munyinya has recused herself in handling the case involving Ronald Chitotela and Nickson Chilangwa with five others.

This follows an application by Defense Lawyers to have the Presiding Magistrate recuse herself from the case in the interest of fair justice because she handled the similar case when she chaired the tribunal in the same court.

And the State had no objection to the application for the rescue herself or refer the matter to the High Court for determination of preliminary issues raised by the defence counsels.

When the matter came up this morning for continued hearing of the application from last night, Magistrate Munyinya ruled that she was recusing from handling the case.

She said it was not disputable that she chaired the tribunal in which the three accused persons in the case at hand were mentioned.

Magistrate Munyinya said going ahead in adjudicating the matter may be perceived by right thinking people that she was not impartial in her decisions since the defence counsels have expressed discomfort about her handling the case.

” It has come apparent clear that the three accused persons, Ronald Chitotela, Nickson Chilangwa and Kalumba Chifumbe were mentioned in the tribunal I chaired in September last year over the same arson case,” she stated.

The Principal Resident Magistrate has since allocated the case to another Resident Magistrate and adjourned the matter to April 08, 2022 for mention.

In this matter, Mr. Chitotela and Mr. Chilangwa with five others have been charged with arson, threatening violence, assault and malicious damage to property.

It is alleged that the two Law-makers while acting together with five other accused persons assaulted four UPND members, threatened violence and damaged the windscreen of the Mahindra motor vehicle before setting it ablaze on August 12, 2021 in Pambashe Constituency.

Mr. Chitotela and Mr. Chilangwa and five others are being represented by Jonas Zimba of Makebi Zulu Advocates, Andrew Kombe of Andrew and Partners and Benjamine Mwelwa of L.E. EYAA and Partners.

Principal Resident Magistrate Munyinya has extended police bond for all the seven accused persons.

Namibian President Hage Geingob has declared a three-day period of national mourning following the passing of former President Rupiah Banda.

In a statement, President Geingob said under the powers vested in the President by Article 32 (3) (h) of the Namibian Constitution, read together with section 3 (1) of the Conferment of National Honours Act, 2012 (Act No. 11 of 2012), he has declared a period of national mourning following the passing of Mr. Banda.

“During the period of national mourning, the National Flag of the Republic of Namibia and the African Union flag will fly at half-mast from today, 16 March 2022 until the date of burial of the remains of Mr. Banda on Friday 18 March 2022,” he said.

In his message of condolences issued earlier in the week, President Geingob said, “the people of Zambia have lost a great Statesman, former President Rupiah Banda. In 1974, President Banda, in his capacity as Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations took on the special responsibility of President of United Nations Council for Namibia. In that difficult assignment, President Banda played a pivotal role in advancing the cause of Independence for the Namibian People.”

“Indeed, with his passing, Namibia has lost a dependable friend. But, we are comforted by his indelible contributions to the liberation movements of our region and the socio-economic development of its people,” he said.