FORMER special assistant to the president for Press and public relations, John Musukuma has died.

Mr Musukuma, 64, died yesterday morning at his Kalonga farm, off Nampundwe Road, after an illness.

His sister-in-law, Grace Chanda and uncle, Denis Musukuma confirmed the death and said the funeral is being at the farm.

Ms Chanda said at the funeral house that Mr Musukuma had been unwell since April this year.

He is survived by a wife Agness, two daughters and a son.

Ms Chanda said burial arrangements would be made after the arrival of Mr Musukuma's son and a daughter from the United Kingdom and United States of America, respectively.

Before late president Levy Mwanawasa appointed him as special assistant at State House, Mr Musukuma worked for the Southern African Broadcasting Association.

Before that, he had worked for various local media institutions, among them the Zambia Daily Mail, Mining Mirror, and Times of Zambia, where he served as editor-in-chief.

He also served as executive secretary for the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA).

President Rupiah Banda said he was saddened by the death of Mr Musukuma.

In a letter of condolences to Mr Musukuma's family in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Banda said Zambia had lost a loyal and hardworking man.

This is according to a statement by the President's special assistant for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere.

Mr Banda said he had decided to appoint Mr Musukuma as Zambia's consular-designate to Russia because of his dedication and hard work.

He said Mr Musukuma greatly contributed to the development of journalism in the Zambia and southern Africa.

PAZA president, Andrew Sakala said Mr Musukuma's death was a great loss as he had contributed a lot to the development of the media industry in Zambia.