ACTING Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has announced that President Hakainde Hichilema has declared Friday a public holiday to facilitate a befitting State Funeral and burial ceremony for the late fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda.

In a statement, Wednesday, Kangwa, however, said institutions which provided essential services were requested to ensure that adequate arrangements were put in place to avoid a disruption in the provision of such services.

“The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has declared Friday, 18th March, 2022 a Public Holiday. President Hichilema has made the declaration under the Public Holidays Act, Cap 272 of the Laws of Zambia. The declaration is meant to facilitate a befitting State Funeral and burial ceremony to the Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia, the late Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda. In view of the declaration, government is urging Members of the public and the business community to observe the public holiday in a dignified manner as the nation puts to rest President Banda, a gallant Freedom Fighter, Great Son of the Nation and Statesman,” the statement read.

“As the nation observes the public holiday on Friday, institutions which provide essential services are requested to ensure that adequate arrangements are put in place to avoid a disruption in the provision of such services.”

Kangwa said attendance to the state funeral church service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross was strictly by invitation, while the burial ceremony at the Presidential Burial Site was a private function restricted to family members and a few invited guests.

“Members of the public are further guided that attendance to the State Funeral Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross is strictly by invitation, while the Burial Ceremony at the Presidential Burial Site is a private function restricted to family members and a few invited guests. The public is, however, encouraged to follow the live ZNBC Television broadcast of the State Funeral proceedings at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross and burial ceremony at the Presidential Burial Site, Embassy Park. The live proceedings will also be made available on other social media platforms,” stated Kangwa.