PRESIDENT Mugabe on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to the Zambian vice President and the deceased’s family over the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on Tuesday.
President Mwanawasa died Tuesday morning in a Paris hospital after suffering a stroke in June and was also reported to have suffered a ‘brain hemorrhage’ while attending a summit in Cairo, Egypt.
Zimbabwean-born Banda has acted as interim head of state of the southern African nation since Mwanawasa’s stroke.
Mwanawasa had been President of Zambia since January 2002.
“It was with profound shock and sorrow that I learnt of the untimely death of our Dear Brother and Colleague, His Excellency President Levy Mwanawasa,” President Mugabe said in a statement.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, and on my own behalf, I would like to convey to you, the Mwanawasa family, as well as to the government and people of the Republic of Zambia, sincere and heartfelt condolences. Zimbabwe shares your sorrow during this period of bereavement and mourning.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
President Mwanawasa was Chair of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) at the time of his death.
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has now taken over the chairmanship of the regional organisation until the expiration of his term in May next year.
BOOK OF CONDOLENCES
Meanwhile, the Zambian embassy in Harare has opened the book of condolences for President Mwanawasa.
A statement issued by the Zambian embassy Charge d’ Affairs Mrs Dyriss Simasiko indicated that the book was opened Thursday and will remain so from morning until 4.30PM everyday until burial day, on September 3.
“Many people in Zambia and the continent are deeply shocked and distressed by this tragic events. Putting a message in a condolence book is a small gesture but will help the Mwanawasa family and friends express their grief. The records and the thoughts from people will serve as a poignant and lasting tribute to the President and will be a source of comfort to the family and friends,” said an official at the Zambian High Commission in Harare located on the 6th Floor, Zambia House, Union Avenue. Tel: + 263 4 790 851.
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