Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:52:21 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
GOVERNMENT should set up a public inquiry to probe the deaths of presidents Michael Sata and Levy Mwanawasa, who both died while in office unlike president Frederick Chiluba whose passing was after leaving office, former republican vice-president, Enock Kavindele has demanded.
Mr Kavindele has demanded that government should immediately come up with a commission of inquiry under “Public Inquiries Act” to investigate the circumstances that led to Mr Sata’s death.
Mr Kavindele said Mr Sata was not an ordinary person but an elected and sitting head of State of Zambia.
In an exclusive statement issued to Daily Nation,Mr Kavindele said when President Sata fell ill many stories had been told and was flown to so many cities all over the world to seek medical attention.
“Now even the travels were too much for a person who was not feeling too well. So when his death occurred government should have set up this inquiry.
“Government in my (personal) view has a very strong case to set up a commission of inquiry. It is not too late. For posterity sake, a commission of inquiry can still be set up,” Mr Kavindele said.
He said medical doctors who looked after him (Sata) in various countries should be interviewed so that the future generation could have access to what really caused his death.
Mr Kavindele said even President Trump had opened to the public the findings of the inquiry on what led to the death of J.F Kennedy.
He said emotions might be too high but a commission of inquiry could still be set up.
Mr Kavindele said both Mwanawasa and Sata died in office unlike Chiluba who died after he left the presidency.
He suggested that the inquiry be extended to the death of President Mwanawasa so that Zambians could know what led to the death of sitting Presidents.
And echoing Mr Kavindele’s sentiments, other stakeholders also felt an inquiry could cover all presidents including Chiluba, so that the public know what killed all three presidents.
The unanimous view is that the public should not be left to speculate on the deaths of people who had been presidents of the country.
