President Lungu Mourns Tragic Losses in Recent Road Traffic Accidents

President Lungu Mourns Tragic Losses in Recent Road Traffic Accidents

Lusaka, Zambia – 16th October 2024

The country has been struck by a series of tragic road accidents across the country, leaving the nation in mourning. On 14th October 2024, five lives were lost following a head-on collision between a Sino truck water bowser and a Toyota Vitz along the Great North Road in Chisamba. The accident, which occurred around 07:20 hours, claimed the life of 32-year-old Bwalya Kasonde, a resident of Chilanga who was driving the Toyota Vitz, along with his four passengers.

Just a day later, on 15th October 2024, Zambia recorded another fatal accident, this time involving a South Africa-bound Marcopolo bus. The bus overturned near Kafue Boys Secondary School around 04:30 hours, killing four passengers and leaving 29 others with serious injuries.

In an even more heartbreaking turn of events, former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, and his family were involved in a fatal accident later that same day. The accident occurred at around 17:45 hours in Lubushi, approximately 65 kilometers from Luwingu Town along the Luwingu-Kasama road.

The tragic incident involved five passengers: Mr. Kennedy Mwila (the driver), Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, Mr. Mwamba Kambwili, Mr. Mutale Kambwili, and Mr. Kennedy Mambwe, a lawyer for the Kambwili family. While Hon. Kambwili, Mr. Mwila, and Mr. Mambwe sustained head and body injuries, Mwamba Kambwili and Mutale Kambwili suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Kambwili brothers were accompanying their elder brother, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, who was en route to Kasama for a court appearance scheduled for today. This loss has prompted calls from President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for the judiciary to consider hearing court cases in the locality of suspects to prevent similar tragedies.

In a heartfelt statement issued this morning, President Lungu expressed his sorrow over the recent road traffic accidents. President Lungu offered his condolences to all affected families and urged Zambians to pray for the country reflect and seek peace during these troubled times.

Quoting from the book of John 16:33, President Lungu said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

He also shared a message of hope from John 16:22, encouraging the nation to stand together in prayer and unity. “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy,” he said.

President Lungu concluded by wishing Hon. Kambwili and the other accident survivors a quick recovery while praying for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives. He extended his thoughts and prayers to all families affected by these devastating accidents, reminding them that the nation stands with them during this difficult time.