8 September 2009

LATE Local Government and Housing minister Benny Tetamashimba who died last Saturday will be buried tomorrow in Solwezi, Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the burial would be preceded by a Church service today at Lusaka's Cathedral of the Holy Cross, where mourners are expected to be seated by 09:00 hours.

"After the Church service, about noon, the body will be transported to Solwezi where it will lay in state overnight in readiness for burial the following day. "The burial arrangement will be drawn and announced by the local provincial administration," said Gen Shikapwasha.

United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema sent a message of condolences to Mr Tetamashimba's family following is death on Saturday.

Mr Hichilema said in a letter to the bereaved family that the UPND had learnt with a sense of deep sorrow the death of Mr Tetamashimba. The Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) has put off its annual conference scheduled for this week, following the death of Mr Tetamashimba.

The association expressed shock and sadness at the death of the Local Government Minister.

LGAZ president Charles Mumena said in an interview yesterday that the minister would be greatly missed because of his contribution to enhancing the performance of councils in the country.

allafrica