Sesheke UPND member of parliament Frank Kufakwandi has died in South Africa after an illness.

UPND deputy Secretary General Patrick Mucheleka confirmed this to News Diggers in an interview, Monday.

And in a statement, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba revealed that government had evacuated Kufwakwandi last month and he had been receiving specialist treatment at Arwyp Medical Centre in Johannesburg.

He stated that Kufwakwandi had been treated for a cardiac condition.

Ambassador Mwamba stated that Kufwakwandi’s wife, Masiliso, was at the bedside.

Meanwhile, Hakainde Hichilema stated that Kufakwandi’s death was a double tragedy to the UPND, as it was not long ago when the party lost its Mangango representative Naluwa Mweene in an accident.

“It is with great sadness and sorrow to announce the passing on of our Sesheke Member of Parliament Hon. Frank Simona Kufakwandi who died in the early hours of this morning in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was receiving medical treatment. As a party, we shall greatly miss his immense contribution and dedication to the country where he was representing our great people of Sesheke. On behalf of the entire UPND family, we send our sincere condolences to the family of Hon. Kufakwandi and the people of Sesheke constituency. For us, it is a double tragedy to have lost two members of parliament within such a short space of time from Western Province. We place everything in the mighty hand of our God during this trying moment,” stated Hichilema in his message of condolences.

The Patriotic Front, through party Secretary General Davies Mwila, also sent a message of goodwill to the UPND and to Kufakwandi’s family.

“The Patriotic Front has learnt with shock and profound grief the passing on of UPND’s Sesheke member of parliament Hon. Frank Kufakwandi who has died in South Africa after an illness. Our hearts and prayers are with the family of the late Hon. Kufawakwandi and the UPND as a party. May the good Lord console and comfort the bereaved family during this sorrowful moment,” Mwila stated in his message of condolences.