Give Lungu Opportunity to Rest and Recuperate-Kawana
By Mary Kachepa
Government has urged citizens to give former President Edgar Lungu an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana says Mr. Lungu called him a few days ago to check on him and informed him that he was done with his chemotherapy awaiting review from the Doctors on whether he can come back home or move to the next phase.
Mr. Kawana says the former President did not issue the statement making rounds on social media suggesting that Government had neglected Ms. Edith Nawakwi.
He says there are many statements that are attributed to Mr. Lungu that were not issued by him.
He has urged Citizens to desist from dragging Mr. Lungu into politics but instead pray for the former President’s health.
And Mr. Kawana says President Hakainde Hichilema and former President Lungu check on each other often and wish each other well as there is no enmity between them.
He told Journalists at a Media briefing in Lusaka that the two leaders talk to each other as opposed to the perception that they do not speak to each other.
Mr. Kawana has appealed to President Lungu ‘s family to take charge and not allow people that want to gain political mileage to drag the Former President’s name into politics.
And Mr. Kawana said assertions that Government is blocking former Defense Minister Goeffery Mwamba from accessing treatment in South Africa is not correct.
He said authorities in South Africa have written to Zambia that because of Mr. Mwamba’s status as a prisoner they would indicate when he can travel.
Mr. Kawana said the first Hospital Mr. Mwamba’s family contacted declined because of his status as a convict while the second Hospital agreed but Authorities in South Africa wrote to Government to hold on as they will be informed when they are ready for him to travel.
Mr. Kawana however said Mr. Mwamba is currently getting the best care at Maina Soko Medical Center.
Meanwhile Mr. Kawana has urged Zambians to mourn former Finance Minister Edith Nawakwi with dignity and desist from politicizing the funeral.
Mr. KAWANA added that President HICHILEMA ordered the evacuation of Ms NAWAKWI together with former First Lady VERA CHILUBA who is still receiving treatment in South Africa.
He said Government had been taking care of Ms. NAWAKWI even before her evacuation and President HICHILEMA had ordered for the procurement of medication that was prescribed for her treatment.
