Maravi

(TIMES) Masebo collapses

Masebo collapses
...at City Airport where she went to receive President Mwanawasa’s body
By Times Reporter

LOCAL Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo, yesterday collapsed at the City Airport in Lusaka where she had gone to witness the arrival of President Mwanawasa’s body.

President Mwanawasa’s body arrived from the provincial tours at the airport aboard a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) plane AF 602 at 9:50 hours and as a soon as it was being driven to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), Ms Masebo was heard screaming before collapsing.

She was taken into the VIP lounge at the airport where first aiders and some ministers attempted to resuscitate her but to no avail. She was in the lounge for close to 15 minutes before being driven to Maina Soko Military Hospital.

As attempts were made to resuscitate Ms Masebo, fear and grief characterised the atmosphere outside the lounge as Acting President Rupiah Banda consulted with ministers.

On several occasions, Mr Banda shook his head prompting first lady Maureen Mwanawasa to go inside the lounge and check on the condition of Ms Masebo.

When Mrs Mwanawasa came out of the lounge, she stood next to Mr Banda who was accompanied by his wife Thandiwe and a few minutes later; Ms Masebo was carried into a Zambia Police Land-Cruiser to the hospital.

Alert Zambia Army personnel kept journalists and photographers at bay and taking a picture of Ms Masebo or the entire proceedings was a daunting task.

In an interview, Chief Government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti said that like anybody else, the only thing he heard was Ms Masebo screaming before she collapsed.

“All we saw and heard was that she screamed and was later on the ground. That is the only thing that I can explain,” Mr Mulongoti said.

President Mwanawasa’s body yesterday lay in repose at MICC and Lusaka residents would today be accorded an opportunity to pay their last respect. The body viewing ceremony would today start at 10:00 hours.

Labels: SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 1:36 AM