Late Mulimba put to rest in Petauke District

Former Defence Minister in the UNIP government Lavu Mulimba has been buried at Sandwe village in Petauke district, 120 kilometres away from the Petauke Boma.

Health Minister Dr. Joseph Kasonde told mourners at the burial site that the late
Mr. Mulimba devoted his time to developing not only his home town but the country as a whole in different portfolios he served in government.

Dr. Kasonde said Government was proud in such people like the late Mr. Mulimba who were determined to develop their areas of origin.

“This great son of the soil were are burring today has come back to rest here in Sandwe village after developing the nation in different portifilios. Government takes pride in such people like the late Mr. Mulimba who devoted his time to developing his area and Zambia at large,” Dr. Kasonde said.

The minister said government takes pride to acknowledge and share the works of Zambian people whom he described as “son of the soil”.

He urged the family to remain strong and united during the period of mourning because government is with it/family in spirit and prayers.

And speaking during the same occasion, family spokesperson Ronald Mponda appealed to the government through the Ministry of Justice to consider expediting the ‘alleged’ wrangles that has engulfed the Sandwe thrown/chieftaincy.

Mr. Mponda bemoaned that the wrangles have taken 18 years without resolving the Sandwe chieftaincy in the Chiefdom.

Mr. Mponda, who is the nephew to the late Mr. Mulimba, however, thanked government for easing the burden of the funeral as the family alone could not have managed.

Those who attended the burial of the former cabinet minister included Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo, Agriculture minister Given Lubinda, Gender Deputy minister Col. Joseph Lungu, Defense chiefs, former MMD Musanzala Member of parliament Peter Daka and other senior government officials and several mourners.

The Zambia army accorded the deceased a 21-gun saluate in honour of his immense contribution to the nation.

A few days ago, Vice-President Inonge Wina gave the late Mr.Mulimba an official funeral.

Ms. Wina said the death of Mr. Mulimba was a great loss to the nation stating that he will be remembered for his great contribution to the nation.

First republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda during a requiem mass held at the Cathedral of the Holy cross in Lusaka described the late Mr. Mulimba as a strong man.

The deceased served as Member of Parliament in Petauke and was later appointed as Defence minister by Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

The late Mr.Mulimba, 77 and survived by a widow, Esther, children and several grand-children.