FORMER State House special assistant for Press and public relations, John Musukuma will be put to rest at Mutumbi Cemetery in Lusaka today.

Family spokesperson Grace Chanda, who is the deceased's sister-in-law, said burial would be preceded by a church service at St Ignatius Catholic parish starting at 09:00 hours.

Mr Musukuma, 64, died on Monday morning at his Kalonga farm off Nampundwe Road after an illness. Prior to his appointment as special assistant for Press and public relations, Mr Musukuma 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.

Mr Musukuma also worked for the Southern African Broadcasting Association and served as Press Association of Zambia executive secretary.

The Zambia Public Relations Association regretted the death of Mr Musukuma, describing him as a seasoned media and public relations professional who left a positive contribution wherever he applied himself.