The government has revised the number of national days of mourning in honour of the late former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, from three (3) to fourteen (14) days.
On Friday President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that the mourning period for the late Elder Statesman commenced yesterday and would run for three days.
However, in a statement this Saturday, the Deputy Chief Secretary, Presidential Communications, George Charamba avised the nation to disregard the earlier statement.
READ MORE: Zimbabwe Declares 3 Days Of Mourning Kaunda
He said the mourning period has been extended after the government took into account the fact that the Zambian government is yet to announce the burial programme for Kaunda. Charamba said:
Further to yesterday’s communication regarding the mourning period for the late former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda and late Father Emmanuel Francis Ribeiro, Government wishes to advise that two overlapping mourning periods were decided as follows:
1. Three (3) days of mourning for National Hero, late Father Emmanuel Francis Ribeiro;
2. Fourteen (14) days of national mourning for late President Kenneth Kaunda.The 14-day mourning period for the late former Zambian President takes into account the fact that the Zambian government is yet to announce the burial programme for the late departed.
This position supersedes the one announced yesterday, Friday, 18 June 2021.
In keeping with tradition, flags must fly at half-mast.
The miscommunication is sincerely regretted.