Malawi’s leader of opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa has mourned Zambia’s former head of state Rupiah Banda who died on Saturday March 11, 2022 after battling colon cancer.
Nankhumwa also consoled Zambian incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema and the whole nation for the loss of their fourth republican president.
“I wish to extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema and the people of Zambia following the passing on Friday, 11th March 2022 of former President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Rupiah Bwezani Banda,” Nankhumwa said.
In a condolence message seen by this publication, Nankhumwa said Banda served his people “with selfless dedication and passion to improve the welfare of the people of Zambia and also those in the SADC region and the entire African continent.”
Banda had held senior diplomatic posts under first President Kenneth Kaunda before being eventually named as vice president in 2006 by then-President Levy Mwanawasa.
Banda served as acting president in mid-2008 when Mwanawasa suffered a stroke. Banda narrowly won October elections the same year on a ruling party ticket.
His tenure was marred by allegations of graft and in 2013, Zambia’s parliament stripped Banda of immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for investigators to arrest him for corruption-related offences.
Banda stood accused of abuse of office, corrupt acquisition of public property and misappropriation of public funds involving more than $11 million during his tenure as president, but was never convicted in a court of law and did not serve any jail time.“`
*H has died at the age 85.*
