By JULIUS PHIRI-
ONE person has died while eight including a reverend from United Church of Zambia (UCZ) have been injured after the vehicle they were travelling in overturned along Chama-Lundazi Road in Eastern Province.
Both Eastern Province Police Commissioner Grace Chipalila and UCZ Chipata Presbyterian Bishop Jonathan Sikazwe confirmed the accident which happened on Saturday in separate interviews in Chipata yesterday.
Ms Chipalila said the tentative investigations indicated that the accident happened due to speeding.
“On Saturday, there was an accident in Lundazi which claimed one life of a UCZ member while eight others were rushed to the hospital for sustaining various injuries,” she said.
Bishop Sikazwe said Mrs Jane Mtonga died on her way to Lundazi hospital while Lundazi UCZ minister In-charge Genesis Siulanda and others sustained various injuries.
The bishop said the accident happened when the members were coming from a baptism session at Chefula UCZ congregation in Egiken area.
“Though there is no proper time when the accident happened, I am sure it was in the morning on Saturday because these people were coming from Chefula UCZ congregation in Egicken area. This was about eight to 10 kilometres from Lundazi boma,” he said.
Bishop Sikazwe said, the two injured people were discharged from the hospital on Sunday while the body of Mrs Mtonga was lying at Lundazi District Hospital Mortuary.
According to the sources, Rev Siulanda was accompanied by Men’s Christian Fellowship (MCF) members.