SECRETARY to the Cabinet Dr Roland Msiska says Dr Guy Scott’s appointment as acting President is according to procedure and law.
And president Michael Sata’s body will arrive in the country from London tomorrow at 10:00 hours.
Meanwhile, Dr Msiska says the government will ensure that president Sata’s legacy of not wasting public resources is maintained during the period of the funeral.
During a briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Msiska, in addressing concerns raised by certain sections of society about the eligibility of Dr Scott to act as President, said the government had done the right thing.
“The Attorney General will issue a detailed explanation on the issue of the acting President because it falls under him. He will explain in detail, but this is a clear issue,” he said.
And Dr Msiska said president Sata’s body would lie in state at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre until Sunday November 9.
He said there would be a thanksgiving ceremony at Parliament Buildings on Monday, November 10 at 10:00 hours.
“Body viewing will commence on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Members of the public are encouraged to pay their last respects to the late president. Members of the general public will also be afforded an opportunity on a daily basis from 12:00 hours to 18:00 hours. A schedule on body viewing will be communicated through the media,” Dr Msiska said.
He said for those in the provinces, the funeral procession would be done the way the golden jubilee celebrations were done.
Dr Msiska said the burial of president Sata would take place on November 11 at the Embassy Park and would be preceded by a requiem church service at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
He said books of condolences were opened yesterday at Government House in Lusaka, provincial administration offices and in Zambian missions abroad.
“The government has also earmarked Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka as the funeral place for close relatives while other mourners are encouraged to assemble at the showgrounds after the body’s arrival, where sermons would be conducted and solemn music played,” he said.
Dr Msiska said the period of national mourning would come to an end after the burial.
Meanwhile, responding to a question on how much the government would spend on the funeral, Dr Msiska said: “Whatever we do, we must make sure that the legacy of president Sata of not being wasteful with public resources is maintained during this whole funeral period.”
Meanwhile, a committee comprising PF members of parliament has been constituted to oversee funeral arrangements ahead of burial.
The committee, chaired by Ronald Chitotela, comprises Lawrence Evans, Miles Sampa, Phillip Kosamu, Professor Nkandu Luo, Esther Banda and Obvious Mwaliteta.
The Post
