By Emmanuel Mwamba
Uncomfortable Truth
He repeatedly sought to obtain medical treatment abroad. Uncomfortable Truth
He repeatedly sought to obtain medical treatment abroad.
He was denied.
On 16th August, 2023, he wrote yet another official letter to Government seeking authority to travel to South Africa for his scheduled medical review.
On 7th September 2023, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Oliver Kalabo responded that Government had refused and denied him authority to travel.
Even when he finally travelled two years later to South Africa in January 2025, there were frantic efforts to prevent him from travelling.
He was saved by two key issues, the presence of a huge delegation expecting the imminent arrival of United Nations Special Rapporteur, Irene Khan and the discretion of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZECL) Manager on duty, Paul Kasonde.
Kasonde was immediately suspended and later fired after President Lungu’s travel.
ZACL claimed that Kasonde allowed the former President without full security screening and authority.
He was denied.
On 16th August, 2023, he wrote yet another official letter to Government seeking authority to travel to South Africa for his scheduled medical review.
On 7th September 2023, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Oliver Kalabo responded that Government had refused and denied him authority to travel.
Even when he finally travelled two years later to South Africa in January 2025, there were frantic efforts to prevent him from travelling.
He was saved by two key issues, the presence of a huge delegation expecting the imminent arrival of United Nations Special Rapporteur, Irene Khan and the discretion of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZECL) Manager on duty, Paul Kasonde.
Kasonde was immediately suspended and later fired after President Lungu’s travel.
ZACL claimed that Kasonde allowed the former President without full security screening and authority.
