Foreign dignitaries have started arriving in Zambia for the state funeral of the country’s founding father and first president, Kenneth Kaunda, which will be held in Lusaka tomorrow.

The Vice President of Angola, Bornito de Sousa, has arrived in Lusaka to represent his country at the funeral of Dr. Kaunda.

The presidential jet carrying the Angolan Vice President touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) at about 11:22 hours today.

Mr. De Sousa was welcomed at the airport by Deputy Secretary to Cabinet in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Mike Masiye and Angolan Ambassador to Zambia Azevedo Francisco.

The Angolan Vice President will be among several African and world leaders that will attend Dr. Kaunda’s ceremonial state funeral on July 2, at the Showgrounds in Lusaka.

Dr. Kaunda was held in high esteem for supporting the liberation of Africa and accommodating many freedom fighters from the region in their march towards political independence.

He won kudos for his hardline stance against apartheid in South Africa and colonial rule in other countries, especially those laying in the southern African region.

Dr. Kaunda died on June 17, 2021, aged 97 and will be buried next week on July 7 at the presidential burial site at Lusaka’s Embassy Park.

As far back as 1966, huge numbers of Angolans fleeing the war for political independence from Portugal that raged between 1961 and 1975 in their country, started entering the peaceful Zambia, which was ruled by the late Dr. Kenneth Kaunda then.

The end of the 1961 to 1975 political independence in Angola was immediately followed by civil strife in that country, a situation which caused more refugees to seek refuge in Zambia until 2002 when armed conflicts ceased in the neighbouring country.

However, Zambia still hosts many Angolans who opted to be integrated into local communities instead of returning to their country after calm returned in the early 2000s.

By Judith Mulenga CiSCA Chairperson

The Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA) applauds the Amnesty International’s Report on, “Ruling by fear and repression the Restriction of Freedom of Expression, Association and Assembly in Zambia,” for shining a spotlight on the gross systemic repression of civil and political human rights since PF came into power but significantly deteriorating since 2015.

But as usual our ruling party went into their denial, deflect and distract mode. But the panicked reactions from PF topnotch cadres is a strong signal that it has dawned on the PF government that human rights are not a sovereignty matter. It is also evident to us that political parties should invest in basic education and training on governments’ obligations to respect, protect, fulfil and promote human rights among their rank and file. If they did, they would realise that governments are arguably the biggest violators of human rights due to the institutions of power they control.

We would like to inform the PF that Amnesty International is a well-respected organization. In any case what is in the Amnesty International Report that we local CSOs have not raised to this government? Every day we lament on non-adherence to respect of human rights, non-adherence to accountability, the ruling party’s political authoritarianism, state institutions failure, rule of law and rampant corruption all cries that this government ignores or denies and deflects by branding us, opposition cadres! And now even an international NGO with a renowned reputation for speaking out against injustice and violations of human rights has been branded as provocative and biased. Doesn’t PF have anyone in their membership well versed with the human rights normative content who would inform the top notch cadres that the world decided to move from non-interference to non-indifference where human rights violations are concerned starting on 10th December 1948? We want to inform the PF party that the only bias that Amnesty International and CSOs such as CiSCA have, are to promote and protect human rights chapwa!

The narrow mindedness in castigating a report that would stand the rigour of reporting on human rights to any human rights body is really perplexing but not entirely surprising as the PF always manages to outdo itself in absurdity. The Amnesty International Report outlines the methodology used to compile it. It not only references human rights instruments that Zambia has a legal obligation to implement but which the PF government has consistently ignored or willfully violated. Further, the report cites violations with dates, names and places. How many groups of people have been arrested for exercising their freedom of expression? Only last month where was Chilufya Tayali? Where was Mubita Nawa? Weren’t Fresher Siwale, Saviour Chishimba, Sean Tembo arrested? Wasn’t the Post Newspaper closed? Is Prime TV open? Didn’t Joseph Kaunda, and Mapenzi Chibulo die because they dared to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association? Weren’t Laura Miti, Pilato, Sean Tembo arrested and tried for exercising their freedom of assembly after being denied a police ‘go ahead’ through the colonial Public Order Act? Every page turn in the report has hard core evidence and yet there is absurd denialism from the ruling party. Even as they are denying the validity of the report, the internet is awash with videos of one of their most shameless cadres Chishimba Kambwili spewing some of the most moronic tribal utterances this nation has ever heard. Down the line when his utterances are reported by CSOs or he is cited at the International Court of Justice the deniers will deny and distract and say the report is biased because “imbwili ni mbwili?” Well we leave that to posterity and karma.

We want to advise the PF that everything wrong in this country stops at them because they are in power! To avoid these so called ‘biased provocative’ reports occurring is simple. Promote peace, personal security of everyone in the nation. Promote and protect human rights of everyone including members of the opposition. Respect and adhere to the rule of law and good governance. Most all condemn, arrest and prosecute and jail perpetrators of ethnicization. They do not belong in a civilized democratic society! Where is the logic of ostracizing, marginalizing, discriminating one of the 7 major ethnic groups in a nation you want to continue ruling? Worse than the heartless tribalists, are the cheering supporters.

Some residents of Kabanda area in Shiwang’andu district in Muchinga province have urged Zambians to emulate the late first president of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda’s ideology of unity at all times.

Kennedy Mutale told ZANIS in an interview that the late Dr. Kaunda continued to preach peace and unity even in his old age.

Mr. Mulenga described the late father of the nation as a strong and patriotic man who united every Zambian.

He noted that Zambia has lost a leader who played a vital role in advising the nation in times of difficulties and during election time.

”We will miss Dr. Kaunda, the man who used to give advice on national matters among other things he did,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga said he would be happy to see other leaders in the country embrace and emulate the late Dr. Kaunda’s life and leadership.

“We will not forget Dr. Kaunda’s contributions to the struggles against colonialism and apartheid,” he said.

Another resident, Astone Kangwa said Zambians should continue living in peace and unity which the country’s forefathers, including Dr. Kaunda fought for.

Mr. Kangwa has since called on Zambian leaders in various positions to emulate the life Dr. Kaunda in order to continue promoting peace and unity.

He further called on young people to imitate the determination, vision and courage that the late former president had.

The body of the late Dr. Kaunda is expected in Chinsali’s Lubwa mission, the birth place of late former president on July 4, 2021 before being put to rest at the presidential burial site in Lusaka on July 7, 2021.

More messages of condolences from World leaders to His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia on the death of first President His Excellency Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, have been received.

Pope Francis is saddened to learn of the death of Dr Kaunda and offered his heartfelt condolences to the President and the Zambian people.

“Mindful of Dr. Kaunda’s distinguished years of service as the first President of Zambia. His commitment to the education and advancement of young people and his efforts to promote fraternal unity within the nation and Africa as a whole, I commend him to the mercy of Almighty God. Upon all who mourn the late President I invoke the Divine blessings of consolation and peace,” the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State says.

Germany Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel acknowledges that President Kaunda has left his mark on generations of Africans as Zambia’s founding father and first President of the Republic, as well as through his political activism embracing issues far beyond those affecting his own country.

“Mr President, I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of former President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and wish to extend my condolences to you and the people of Zambia. With his passing, the Zambian people and Africa as a whole have lost an eminent figure, ” Chancellor Merkel said.
President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of Egypt paid tribute to Dr Kaunda for laying the foundations of African solidarity and brotherhood over many years and that his role in consolidating peace and security contributed to achieving stability and prosperity in Zambia and the region.

“l extend my sincere condolences and sympathy to you on my own behalf and on behalf of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt- and to the Zambian government, and the brotherly people of Zambia, and the family of the late President, “says the Egyptian leader.

Ethiopia’s President Mrs Sahle-Work Zewde says President Kaunda was the embodiment of Pan Africanism and demonstrated his great love of the continent as a freedom fighter, Statesman and visionary who will forever be remembered as a beacon of African independence.

“On behälf Of the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and that of my own, I wish to convey to Your Excellency, the bereaved family and the fraternal people of the Republic of Zambia, our heartfelt condolences during this time of national mourning, ” she writes.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari says President Kaunda articulated the ideology of humanism and reflected a deep sense of humanity, which he displayed as the leader of Zambia for many years.

“The stability and peaceful development in Zambia owes a great deal to the foundation of tolerance and good governance he laid. Africa truly owes President Kaunda a huge debt of gratitude for his tireless and selfless championing of the causes of the peoples of our continent. He played a pivotal role in promoting African unity in the framework of the Organisation of African Unity and was one of the pillars of the growth of the Commonwealth, ” President Buhari says.

Prime Minister of Norway Ms Erna Solberg remembers Dr Kaunda as a Pan-Africanist and one of the most influential contributors to the battle against HIV and AIDS. “On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I would like to convey my deepest condolences on the death of the first President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.

President Alassane Quattara of Ivory Coast describes Dr Kaunda as a great servant of Zambia who, during his long and rich political career, arose to provide exceptional leadership through his resolved commitment to the African continent and towards the construction of Zambia.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman extends his condolences to President Lungu: “With profound grief, we received the news of the passing away of the former President, Kenneth Kaunda. We extend to Your Excellency, the bereaved family, and the friendly people of Zambia our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies on this loss. ”

And the Amir of the State of Qatar His Highness Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani said: “On behalf of the people of the State of Qatar and my own behalf, I want to express, on the sorrowful passing away of Zambia’s founding President, Kenneth Kaunda, our sincere condolences and sympathies to Your Excellency and, through you, to your friendly people, particularly to the bereaved family.

Messages of condolences have also been received from Qatar’s Deputy Amir Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Thani and Qatar’s ‘Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Khalid Bin Khalifa Bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani.

President of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob says Singapore will never forget Dr Kaunda’s support during that country’s early years of independence adding that he had many interactions with founding Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kwan Yew, and the two were leaders of newly independent states and were active participants in Commonwealth

And President of Georgia Ms Salome Zourabichvili said: “At this time of great grief, I would like to emphasise President Kaunda’s outstanding role in the history of Zambia and the whole African continent. I am confident that his memory will always live in the hearts of the Zambian people. May His soul rest in eternal peace!

Jamaican Prime Minister Mr Andrew Holmes says Jamaica was proud to have hosted President Kaunda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Kingston in 1975.

“We are profoundly saddened at the loss of President Kaunda, a visionary and dedicated statesman who served his country with pride and distinction. We also recall his dedication to regional development through his Chairmanship of the former Organisation of African Unity, and his determination to work at the multilateral level to advance the welfare of the African continent. Jamaica stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia as you mourn the loss of a distinguished son of Africa, ” Prime Minister Holmes says.
Meanwhile, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Eastern and Southern African region Dr. Sahr Kpundeh says the World Bank was honoured to have worked in partnership with President Kaunda’s administration, supporting important priorities in the education, health, social protection, infrastructure-sectors among other sectors.

The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) in collaboration with Health Professions Council of Zambia(HPCZ) and the Zambia Police (ZP) have unearthed a scam in which some unscrupulous traders are illegally selling COVID-19 test kits.

The suspects whose names have been withheld for investigation purposes were arrested and charged for illegal placement and sale of allied substances on the market without Marketing Authorisation and import authorisation granted by the Authority. The suspects have since been released on police bond pending court appearance.

In this regard, members of the public are advised to be wary of unscrupulous traders dealing illegally in COVID-19 test kits whose quality can not be ascertained and are likely to produce false positive or false negative test results. Members of the general public are therefore advised to seek COVID-19 test services at health facilities recommended by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Furthermore, members of the public and health institutions are encouraged to report any suspected substandard COVID-19 diagnostic test kits to the Authority.

In another incident, the Authority has seized Ivermectin Tablets from Healthcure Pharmacy Limited in Lusaka Province.

The proprietor of the affected retail outlet has since been warned and cautioned for illegal sale and placement of Ivermectin on the market without Marketing Authorization and will appear in court soon.

In Zambia, Ivermectin has been registered and authorised for veterinary use only as there is no conclusive clinical evidence to support the use of Ivermectin for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.