President’s Sata body arrives in Zambia

02 Nov, 2014 - 06:11 0 Views
President’s Sata body arrives in Zambia

The Sunday Mail

President Michael Sata’s body arrives at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka ahead of burial at the Embassy Park Cemetery on November 11

President Michael Sata’s body arrives at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka ahead of burial at the Embassy Park Cemetery on November 11

The body of President Michael Chilufya Sata has arrived back on Zambian soil, ahead of a state funeral for the 77-year-old leader who died in hospital after a long illness.

Sata died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment in London’s private King Edward VII Hospital for an unspecified condition.

Mourners, some carrying pictures of Sata, gathered at the main Lusaka airport before the arrival of the plane. Two former Zambian presidents, Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda, also attended.

On the tarmac will be a guard of honour, traditional, religious and civic leaders, as well as a host of cabinet ministers, former presidents and foreign diplomats.

Security forces were on hand to escort a vehicle carrying Sata’s body to a conference centre, where family, officials and the public will view the casket in coming days. The burial is scheduled for November 11.

Fresh elections to pick a new president must be held within three months of Sata’s death under supervision of Interim President Guy Scott, who is ineligible to run because he does not have Zambian parentage.

The public will be allowed to view the body from Sunday until November 9, and parliament will host a thanksgiving ceremony on November 10.

Books of condolences have been opened at government offices in the capital, in the provinces and at Zambian embassies abroad.

Sata will be buried at Embassy Park Cemetery, near government offices in Lusaka’s Long Acres suburb.

The cemetery is reserved for heads of state and two of Zambia’s former leaders – Frederick Chiluba and Levy Mwanawasa – are buried there.

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