Zambia’s president Sata dies in UK hospital: reports

October 29, 2014 (LUSAKA) – Zambian president Michael Sata has died in London, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness, media sources reported on Wednesday.

Various media outlets in the Southern African country claimed Sata died on Tuesday night and the country’s cabinet members were due to meet over his death.

A government source confirmed the Zambian leader’s death.

“It is true. We lost the president. The acting president will make a statement soon,” Reuters reported.

The reports said Sata died at London’s King Edward VII hospital. The hospital declined to comment.

Sata left Zambia for medical treatment on 19 October accompanied by his wife and family members, according to a brief government statement with no details.

Born in 1937 in Mpika, Northern province, Sata was a significant figure in Zambian politics for more than 20 years and was elected president in September 2011.

(ST)