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President Sata

The body of Zambian President Michael Chilufya Sata is expected to arrive in Zambia this morning. President Sata (77) died at King Edward VII hospital in London on October 28 while undergoing treatment.

Zambia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Ndiyoyi Mutiti yesterday confirmed the arrival of President Sata’s body today.

The late head of state and government will lie in state at Mlungushi International Conference Centre. He will be laid to rest on November 11 at Embassy Park Cemetery in Lusaka where the other two former Zambian presidents, the late Levy Mwanawasa and the late Frederick Chiluba were buried.

Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru yesterday signed a condolence book at the Zambian embassy in Harare.

“President Sata’s death was a big blow to the people of Zambia, especially coming soon after the country had just celebrated its 50th independence anniversary,” said VP Mujuru.

Meanwhile, Zambian police yesterday said they had arrested and charged a former government official for celebrating the recent death of President Sata by firing a gun in the air.

“We arrested and charged Guston Sichilima because he fired eight rounds of nine millimetres in the air,” Charity Katanga, the police commissioner for Northern Province, told AFP.

Sichilima had held various deputy ministerial positions in former president Rupiah Banda’s government. He confessed to the charges and police have released him.

“We won’t take him to court,” Katanga said. — Herald Reporter/ZBC/AFP.