The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema has sent condolences following the passing of former Zambian president, Rupiah Banda.
Hakainde Hichilema and Zambia’s first Lady visited the family of Rupiah Banda to comfort the family.
Following the visit, he took to social media to update Zambians.
“This afternoon with my wife Mutinta, we joined fellow mourners in paying respect and condolences to the family of our country’s Fourth Republican President, His Excellency, President Rupiah Bwezani Banda who passed away on Friday, 11th March, 2022.
We encouraged the family through the Former First Lady and widow to President Banda, madam Thandiwe Banda to remain strong and united as that was our departed Leader’s wish for the family and the Nation.
President Banda joined the public service at a young age and contributed immensely to our country’s well-being.
And during our address to the press, we confirmed that we had a phone conversation with our country’s former President, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and reminded each other about how our late President, His Excellency, President Banda played a critical role in the 2021 August elections.Â
President Banda may be gone but his desire of a united and prosperous Zambia will live on and as such, we appeal to the Nation to mourn him with dignity irrespective of social and political affiliation.Â
May the soul of President Banda rest in peace and may God give us the strength to face tomorrow with renewed hope of a united and developed Zambia,” he posted.
Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, 85, died on Friday after a battle with colon cancer.
Banda, Zambia’s fourth president, who was in power from 2008 to 2011, was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and had been receiving medical treatment.
He held senior diplomatic posts under first president Kenneth Kaunda before being eventually appointed as a vice president in 2006 by then President Levy Mwanawasa.
Banda took over the presidential reins in mid-2008 in an acting capacity when Mwanawasa suffered a stroke. Banda then narrowly won October elections the same year on a ruling party ticket.
But his tenure was marred by allegations of graft and in 2013, Zambia’s parliament stripped Banda of immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for investigators to arrest him for corruption-related offences.
Banda stood accused of abuse of office, corrupt acquisition of public property and misappropriation of public funds involving more than $11 million during his tenure as president, but was never convicted in a court of law and didn’t serve any jail time.
