President Hichilema accords ex-cabinet minister, Shikapwasha, official funeral rites

President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded the late former Cabinet Minister, Lieutenant General, Ronnie Shikapwasha, (Retired), an official funeral.

Shikapwasha, 76, passed on at the Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka on Monday night, January, 15, 2024.

He served as Cabinet Minister from 2003 to 2011 in the Ministries of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Services and as Zambia Air Force Commander, from 1991 to 1997.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, said funeral gathering was being held at his residence, Plot No. 47, Off Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka.

“Government wishes to inform members of the public that the late Shikapwasha will be buried on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka,” he stated.

Kangwa said the official funeral programme for Shikapwasha would commence with a Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 10:00 hours.

“President Hichilema has, in this regard, declared Saturday, January, 20, 2024 a day of national mourning in honour of the numerous contributions made to the nation,” he announced.

He stated that the period of national mourning would be observed from 06:00hours to 18:00hours during which all flags must fly at half-mast while entertainment programmes should be cancelled or postponed.

Kangwa further appealed to mourners gathering at the funeral house to observe the Ministry of Health guidelines on preventing the further spread of Cholera.

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