Covid kills Chief Mukwikile

Chief Mukwikile of the Bemba people of Shiwangandu district in Muchinga Province has died after contracting the deadly COVID-19. The demise of the traditional leader has been confirmed by the Bemba Royal Establishment spokesperson James Washanga in an interview with ZANIS yesterday. Mr Washanga said Chief Mukwikile whose birth names are Alex Ng’andu died at Chinsali General Hospital in the early hours of yesterday where he was admitted after testing positive for COVID-19. “The traditional leader was hospitalized for a week until he died yesterday,” said Mr Washanga. The late Chief Mukwikile was born July 4, 1944 and has since died at the age of 77, after reigning on the throne for 23 years. He revealed that the remains of late Chief Mukwikile will be put to rest tomorrow Tuesday, at Mulyano royal grave yard.  And the Provincial administration in Muchinga Province, has sent a message of condolences to the Bemba Royal Establishment following the sudden death of Chief Mukwikile.  Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Joyce Nsamba said the provincial administration is saddened with the death of the traditional leader.  She told ZANIS in Chinsali today that only close family members will be allowed to attend the funeral and burial of the late chief Mukwikile.  The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the palace has since been disinfected and swabbing of all people who came into contact with the late traditional leader is currently underway.  Ms Nsamba further appealed to the residents of Shiwang’andu to take COVID-19 disease seriously and ensure that they follow the health guidelines put in place by the Ministry of Health.  She also appealed to the residents not to visit the palace to mourn the late chief as doing so would expose them to COVID-19. “We are saddened as provincial administration over the death of Chief Mukwikile and we are appealing to our people to stay away from the palace for fear of contracting the disease,” said Ms. Nsamba.