Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni has said the Zambian investigative wings are making necessary formalities to engage the United States (US) government to help track down culprits who circulated rumours through an online publication purporting that President Michael Sata was assassinated earlier this week.

Mr Sakeni said his ministry in collaboration with other relevant institutions had reached an advanced stage to formulate necessary diplomatic links to engage the US to help capture the culprits.

The online publication was alleged to be managed and hosted from the US through the Wikipedia website.

On Tuesday, visiting US deputy assistant secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs Reuben Brigety, told journalists at a press briefing during questions time that his government was ready to help Zambia, if officially approached by ministry of Home Affairs to trace individuals behind the false rumours.

Mr Sakeni, who was giving an update on the investigations, said in an interview yesterday that the matter was in the hands of investigative wings, while other relevant institutions were working out formalities to link up with the US Government to help with the probe.

His ministry was doing everything possible to ensure the culprits were brought to book.

"We are doing everything possible and right now we are dealing with matters of approaching the US government through relevant institutions so that we work together to trace those culprits.

" This process is moving well and all necessary formalities are being considered as you know we have to follow rightful diplomatic channels between our country and US government," he said

The minister said advanced communication technological devices and superior expertise would also be applied to ensure that the culprits were captured sooner.

Mr Sakeni said his ministry was grateful that US was prepared to work with the Zambian Government by offering necessary assistance to track down the culprits who spread the falsehood rumours.

And the Teachers Retirees Association has urged government to investigate the matter so that those involved in malicious statements on President Sata were brought to book.