By DELPHINE ZULU and REBECCA MUSHOTA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has left for South Africa for specialist treatment.
This follows recommendations by the team of doctors that attended to him at the weekend when he fell sick on Sunday during commemoration of the International Women’s Day at Heroes National stadium in Lusaka.
The team of senior doctors recommended that the President undergoes a high-tech medical procedure which is currently unavailable in Zambia.
Mr Lungu explained at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure that his team of doctors consulted doctors in South Africa on his condition.
Mr Lungu said his return home would be determined by the doctors attending to him in South Africa.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Esther and his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.
He was seen off at the airport by Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska, Service Chiefs, Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta and PF Secretary General Davis Chama.
President Lungu has appointed Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula to act as President during his absence.
Mr Simbyakula will also act as Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice.
Earlier, Mr Lungu said he is feeling much better after undergoing treatment at Lusaka’s Maina Soko Military Hospital.
“I am much better today, but I have to go to South Africa to finish my routine, this afternoon am leaving, because the doctors are saying I have to go and finish the routine,” said the President who was in a jovial mood.
Meanwhile, Government has condemned those questioning and making disparaging remarks about President Edgar Lungu’s illness.
Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has said it is evil and immoral for people to question President Lungu’s illness and demand for the intricate details of his condition as well as make disparaging remarks in the media.
“Government is disappointed with sentiments attributed to Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) board chairperson Sarah Longwe who has questioned the sincerity of statements from State House over the illness of President Lungu,” Mr Kambwili said.
Ms Longwe allegedly derived pleasure from the illness of the President and likened it to the death of late President Michael Sata.
He said Ms Longwe’s statement was in bad taste coming from a mother and woman leader who could have protested if President Lungu did not turn up for Women’s Day commemoration.