LUSAKA: Widow
of Zambia's second president Frederick Chiluba, Regina Chifunda Chiluba, has
died. Family sources have confirmed that Mrs Chiluba died at the University
Teaching Hospital (UTH) around mid-day of 26th February, 2017.
Government evacuated Mrs Chiluba to Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad in India, in
November last year, reportedly battling cancer.
She,
however, came back last week and was immediately admitted at the University
Teaching Hospital as her condition was deemed terminal.
In 2002,
the Ndola High Court dissolved her marriage to Edward Mwanza.
She
later officially married the late president Chiluba.
At this
stage president Chiluba had divorced his wife of many years, Vera Tembo.
The
deceased First Lady spent most of her life with Mr Chiluba in courts of law as
the latter and herself were dragged into court on allegations of corruption by
the Mwanawasa government.
In 2009,
she was jailed by a Lusaka magistrate for allegedly receiving government
property but was later acquitted by the Lusaka High Court.
Former
president Chiluba died in 2010 from a heart condition he had suffered since
2006.
Mrs
Chiluba is survived by her children Bwalya, Malama and Mando.
President
Edgar Lungu has mourned former First Lady Regina Chiluba and Radio Phoenix
founder Errol Hickey.
The Head
of State has paid tribute to the two towering personalities whose paths touched
the nation in different ways with Regina having been wife to late second
Republican President Frederick Chiluba while Hickey made his name in the media
where he was a renowned photo journalist and founder of Radio Phoenix, a
pioneer in private media circles.
BELOW IS THE STATEMENT:
PRESIDENT LUNGU MOURNS REGINA CHILUBA, ERROL HICKEY
His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa
Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia is deeply saddened by the passing
away of late Second Republican President Mr Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba's
widow Regina who died today 26th February, 2017 after an illness.
The President has described Mrs
Chiluba as a strong and supportive spouse who firmly stood by the late
President.
President Lungu has also extolled
Mrs Chiluba's tremendous contribution to the success of the Movement for
Multiparty Democracy (MMD) particularly in mobilising the women to rally behind
the former ruling party.
The President has extended his
heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Chiluba and Chifunda families and urged
them to find fortitude in the Almighty God as they mourn.
"Her passing away is not
only a great loss to her family but also to the entire nation and particularly
the womenfolk. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of
Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences
to the bereaved families.
Our prayers and thoughts are with
them during this difficult period. May her soul rest in eternal peace,"
the President said.
Meanwhile, the President has
regretted the passing away of Mr Errol Hickey, a pioneer in the development of
Zambia's first private radio broadcasting.
The President hailed Mr Hickey
for his ingenuity and unwavering commitment to take radio broadcasting to the
level that it is in the country today.
President Lungu has said Mr Hickey an icon in the media industry will
not only be missed by the media fraternity but also the entire country.
The President has extended his
profound condolences to the bereaved family and wished them God's solace and
strength as they go through this trying moment.
"On behalf of Government and
the people of the Republic of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, we
commiserate with the bereaved family. May the Soul of Mr Hickey rest in
peace," the President said.
Issued by
AMOS CHANDA
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE
PRESIDENT
(PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS)
STATE HOUSE
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