4 July 2008
Lusaka — THE Government has dismissed international media reports that President Mwanawasa has died.
Vice-President, Rupiah Banda said in Lusaka yesterday that the news reports carried by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Sky News and other sources were false.
Mr Banda said contrary to the reports, doctors attending to Dr Mwanawasa in a French military hospital were happy with the progress made and his condition remained stable.
"He has continued receiving treatment for hypertension in the Intensive Care Unit and there are no new developments. He had a satisfactory night at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.
"The First Lady, Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa, and family members are at the president's bedside. The nation will be kept informed on his condition regularly," Mr Banda said in a statement.
The story quoting somebody named Malone Zaza, who claimed to be a Zambian High Commission spokesman in South Africa, was originally reported by South Africa's Talk Radio 702.
But Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, said in an interview that the story was a total fabrication because the Zambian mission in South Africa did not have anybody by that name.
"We don't have anybody by that name. The story was fabricated and they just wanted to put a name to it," Mr Pande said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mike Mulongoti, also said it was sad and irresponsible to publish a story of such serious significance without properly confirming its credibility.
Mr Mulongoti said senior Government officials in Zambia were in constant communication with the people at the President's bedside and it was just proper that such a story was confirmed with them.
"The media must appreciate that the president is a very important person. There must be morality in journalism because such reports can cause despondency and anguish," he said.
Meanwhile, messages for President Mwanawasa's quick recovery yesterday continued pouring in from a cross section of society.
Chairperson of the House of Chiefs, Chief Mumena said in a statement that traditional leaders throughout the country wished Dr Mwanawasa a quick recovery.
He said the chiefs stood in unity and were praying to God to deliver the president so that he recovers and continues performing his duties.
The Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) expressed sadness about President Mwanawasa's illness.
Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of Lusaka Province said her subjects received the news of Dr Mwanawasa's illness with great shock.
The traditional leader said this in a statement.
"I, my subjects and the chiefs in Lusaka Province and their subjects are praying for his quick recovery," she said.
NGOCC chairperson, Marian Munyinda, said the illness of Dr Mwanawasa had come at a wrong time when a lot was expected from him at the African Union summit in Egypt and in the Southern African Development Community where, as chairperson, he has been instrumental in helping to resolve the post-election crisis in Zimbabwe.
The Mineworkers Union of Zambia joined the rest of the country in praying for the healing of Dr Mwanawasa.
And Mr Mulongoti said the call by South African President Thabo Mbeki to observe a minute of silence while at a ceremony in that country was erroneous.
Mr Mbeki called for a minute of silence in remembrance of Dr Mwanawasa at a ceremony in South Africa for those who died during xenophobic attacks in that country.
Mr Mulongoti said the act was wrong because the Zambian Head of State is alive.
But BBC yesterday reported that Mr Mbeki regretted the misunderstanding and wished Dr Mwanawasa a quick recovery.
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Mr president God bless you and may you live longer to shame the enemies.Above all,you will not die until you accomplish what you started for Zambian people.May God keep you and sustain you,LONG LIVE MWANAWASA.
I wish the President A speed recovery. It is unfortunate his illness came at the time we in Africa needed bold leaders who do not belong to the Blame Club of Africa. By the sitting arrangment at the recent AU summit in Egypt he could have made the dictator squim and possible make him so uncomftable that he would have know his days are numbered. Its a shame Mbeki went ahead with a minute of silence without even talking to the people in France by the bed side. Could it be he really wants Mwanawasa to die so he can wine and dine with Mugabe at will. Shame on Mbekei of numerous inhuman blunders. Its a pity The Great Mandela entrusted such a post to Mbeki. We know it was done to please the late Govan Mbeki who should be turning in his grave to have Thabo carry his great name.
GOD BLESS MWANAWASA
It seems that the Zambians are a religious and ignorant lot. They are without discernment. Take a good look again and you will notice something about your president that you overlooked.
Africa!! You have too many religious simpletons who refuse to study the Word of God. Grow up and open your eyes!!
It takes one ignorant fool like allew609 to write such a massage above. Sometimes just keep to yourself if you do not have something to write. What has the whole Zambain population got to do with the forum cometnts that do not even amount to quorter of the populations?. Grow up yourself and know a bit about whats going on in the African political world before you open it, other wise, keep it zipped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
We have to argue political wise and not get at each other here unless we all become petty like you which will be a waste of time to share information. Its because of people like you that we will never have progress in Africa. Give credit where its due and at the sametime, critisize where necessary but on the common goal and not going personal. Stop being petty please.
Africa is dying of hypocrisy. Mwanawasa is not an hypocrite. I can understand the frustration of my friend. The discernment he refers to is the blame game for Bush and others.Long live Levy
Zambians are not ignorant about the situation,we are very much aware of the Presidents update on his health.I think one should be in seat of judgement to conclude about the matter,God has the final say.consider your own weakness as a nation,you will see that zambia has a much better political stability,we do not beat foreigners and we are not racist's.we are a people of Love and care.
Allew609 is a fool, how could he write such nonscence that Zambian's are religious and ignorant. You are a fool and ignorant because you dont know what you are talking about. Learn to Zip your mouth than talking about what you do not know...
I beg you shut your mouth....
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Thank God the president is still alive. This is really good news for the day