ZAMBIA: Zambians react to the death of President Michael Sata, who died in London, where he was receiving medical treatment

Record ID: 708268

  • Title: ZAMBIA: Zambians react to the death of President Michael Sata, who died in London, where he was receiving medical treatment
  • Date: 29th October 2014
  • Summary: LUSAKA, ZAMBIA (FILE) (REUTERS) PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA LEAVING PARLIAMENT BUILDING / SATA GETTING INTO CAR SATA LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 13th November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Zambia
  • Country: Zambia
  • Topics: Obituaries,Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA6N43QBVYYB4T3PYNIX94R21KN
  • Story Text: Zambian President Michael Sata, an abrasive figure nicknamed "King Cobra" because of his venomous tongue, has died in London, where he was receiving medical treatment, Zambia's government said on Wednesday (October 29).
    The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but Sata had been ill for some time. He was being treated at London's King Edward VII hospital when he died, the website Zambian Watchdog reported. He was 77.
    Sata is the third president Zambia has lost in the last six years - two of them died while in office.
    "I feel so sad for our country because this is our third president to die, so this time we need prayers for our country," Lusaka resident Daniel Banda said.
    "We are saddened by the breaking of news that the president has died. We are so sad. There must be something wrong in Zambia, so what we are supposed to do is to commit this country to God and find out why this is only happening to us, to Zambians," another Lusaka resident, Keith Mwanza, said.
    Sata became president of Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, in 2011.
    Sata's varied CV included stints as a policeman, car assembly worker, trade unionist and platform sweeper at London's Victoria station.
    He left Zambia on Oct. 19 for medical treatment, accompanied by his wife and family members.
    "I appeal to all Zambians to remain calm and to allow what has just happened and let's cross hands together and pray and strengthen one another through Christ Jesus," Lusaka resident Victor Nkausu said.
    "I just can't believe it, it's very shocking news, seriously this is a great loss. I really feel bad," another Lusaka resident, Rose Thompson, said.
    Zambian Vice-president Guy Scott has been named the interim leader of Africa's second-largest copper producer, a government minister said on Wednesday, a day after President Sata died in London.
    Zambia will hold a presidential election to choose a permanent successor to Sata within three months, defence minister Edgar Lungu said.
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