PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda was yesterday among several Cabinet ministers and hundreds of mourners who paid their last respect to his late sister-in-law, Dorothy Nyirenda.

Mrs Nyirenda, who was born on February, 21, 1947 and died last week, was married to late Kabuka Nyirenda who was President Banda's cousin. Speaking during a church service held at Reformed Church in Zambia, Chelston congregation in Lusaka, President Banda described her as a kind woman.

President Banda said from the time he came to know Mrs Nyirenda, she had been a wonderful person who always stood ready to help needy people. He said Mrs Nyirenda was a God fearing person who worked to see the development of the church to contribute to national development.

Mrs Nyirenda, who completed her secondary education in Eastern Province, pursued secretarial studies at Evelyn Hone College and worked in several institutions, including Nkana Copper Mines, the Government and the United Nations (UN) agencies.

Earlier, Reformed Church in Zambia resident minister, Reverend Madalitso Banda said losing a beloved person was such a painful thing, especially somebody who he said was a caring one.

Mrs Nyirenda died last week at Chilanga Hospice after complaining of spinal and general body pains and was put to rest at Mutumbi cemetery in Chamba valley. In attendance were Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Defence Minister, Kalombo Mwansa, Communications and Transport Minister, Geoffrey Lungwangwa.

Others were Home Affairs Minister, Lameck Mangani, Lusaka police chief, Greenwell Ng'uni, All People's Congress Party (APC) leader, Ken Ngondo and several clergymen.