By KELVIN MUDENDA –
VETERAN politician Daniel Munkombwe has praised President Edgar Lungu for taking keen interest in his health.
Last year, President Lungu ordered the evacuation of the former Southern Province minister to South Africa for further medical treatment after he fell ill.
Mr Munkombwe, who is currently hospitalised at Livingstone Central Hospital, said he would forever remain indebted to President Lungu for facilitating his evacuation to South Africa following an illness that threatened his life.
He said this when Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata visited him at the high-cost medical facility in Livingstone on Sunday.
“My darling Kapata, go and tell President Lungu that he is a very caring man who is so much interested in my health. The love that he has shown me from the time I got sick is out of this world,” Mr Munkombwe said.
“The people of Zambia are lucky to have a President that has the interests of his people at heart, including those that are perceived to be his enemies.”
Mr Munkombwe urged politicians in Zambia to learn to co-exist in order for them to serve ordinary Zambians in a more dignified manner.
“In politics there are no political enemies, but we have political opponents who only differ because of opinions,” Mr Munkombwe said. “So politicians should love one another for the sake of the people.”
When Ms Kapata asked him how he was feeling, the veteran politician said he was still feeling very sick and weak.
“Jean you are my sweet wife and I cannot lie to you. I am still very sick and feeling weak. Tomorrow (yesterday) I am supposed to fly to South Africa for my review and I hope the hospital management can allow me to carry one of their oxygen masks for my journey because I cannot breathe properly,” he said.
Mr Munkombwe, who served in various Government portfolios under all the Republican presidents except President Lungu, said he came to State House to show his gratefulness to the Head of State for his gesture.
Ms Kapata assured Mr Munkombwe of Government’s support in ensuring that he got the best medical services possible.
“The country still needs your political experience,” Ms Kapata said. “We are praying for you and we shall ensure that you fully recover my Tonga husband.”
Mr Munkombwe previously served as Patriotic Front Southern Province chairperson before joining the opposition United Party for National Development in 2015.