Mwila’s body returned to Zambia

THE body of the late former Defence minister Benjamin Mwila who died at the weekend in South Africa is expected to arrive in Zambia today.
Family spokesperson Ary Mumba said Mr Mwila’s body would arrive today at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka while burial arrangements would be announced later.
“The body is expected to arrive in the country today,” Mr Mumba said in an interview from the funeral home in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Mwila, who was fondly known as BY, died at the age of 70 at a South African hospital, where he was admitted for malaria.
Mr Mwila served in various positions in the Frederick Chiluba administration before leaving the MMD to form the Republican Party and contested the 2001 general elections, won by late President Levy Mwanawasa.
He was elected as Luanshya Constituency Member of Parliament in the 1991 general elections, leading to his appointment as Defence minister.
Mr Mwila also served as Energy and Water Development minister, among other positions.
President Michael Sata has declared three days of national mourning in honour of the late former defence minister Benjamin Mwila.
According to a statement from Secretary to the Cabinet, the three-day period of national mourning starts today.
During this period, all flags will fly at half must and activities of entertainment nature have since been cancelled or postponed.