The Zambian Government has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of its late ex-president, Dr Frederick Chiluba who died in the early hours of Saturday.
Secretary to Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja announced a weeklong period of national mourning.
Dr. Kanganja further announced that Dr. Chiluba will be buried in Lusaka and that he will be mourned for seven days starting, today, Monday 20 June, 2011.
He says during the period of national mourning all flags will fly at half mast.
Dr. Kanganja also says that all radio and television stations must play solemn music between 06 and 18 hours.
He has since directed that all activities of entertainment nature should be suspended or cancelled.
First Republican President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda called Chiluba's death "a great loss for the labour movement saying he was a true trade unionist.
Meanwhile, the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption against Corruption-APNAC-Zambia Chapter, Publicity Secretary, Godfrey Beene described ex-leader, as pioneer and champion of democracy.
Dr. Chiluba, 68, credited with turning the page on the autocratic rule of founding father Kenneth Kaunda but later accused of plundering state coffers, died last Saturday.
He however, maintained the charges against him stemmed from a political witch hunt.
A popular figure in Zambia, the ex-controversial leader remained a close ally of the current president, Rupiah Banda.
Dr. Chiluba, who came to office in 1991 after 27 years of single party socialist rule, died at his home shortly after midnight after suffering a seizure.
Several politicians who served in his cabinet have hailed him for his role in strengthening multi-party democracy in the southern African country.
US Ambassador Mark Storella said Dr. Chiluba played an integral role in the development of Zambian democracy as the first democratically elected President of the country.
The American envoy said Dr. Chiluba will be remembered as a tireless champion of Zambia’s workers and as a pioneer in the liberalization of Zambia’s economy.
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