GOVERNMENT has revealed that a South African hospital turned down efforts to have ailing incarcerated former Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) evacuated for specialist treatment citing his status as a convict.
According to Ministry of Information and Media permanent secretary Thabo Kawana, government had engaged a particular hospital in South Africa to attend to Mwamba who is currently receiving treatment at Maina Soko Medical Centre but the request was declined on grounds related to his legal status.
Kawana said after the refusal, Mwamba’s family made alternative arrangements with another hospital in South Africa of which government alongside the family is now awaiting feedback from the second medical institution.
South African authorities have reportedly advised both parties to wait for confirmation on whether the patient will be accepted.
“Mr Mwamba needs to be guarded 24/7 because he is a prisoner. The authorities in South Africa contacted government here and stated that owing to the status of being one a convict and a prisoner, they said they would get back to us to tell us when to allow Mr Mwamba or when they will allow Mr Mwamba to enter their country,” said Kawana.
“It is wrong to insinuate and suggest that Mr Mwamba is being punished and that Mr Mwamba is not liked by the President. There is no issue to do with liking and not liking here, it’s simply the law being followed.”
Kawana said government would deliberately never block Mwamba from seeking medical care abroad, insisting that it remains committed to facilitating the process.
Mwamba is currently receiving medical care at Maina Soko Military Medical Centre in Lusaka where he has been admitted since his health deteriorated.
The former cabinet minister who has been in detention since October last year following a conviction recently sought the court’s permission to travel abroad for urgent medical attention.
He argued that his condition, including a suspected progression of prostate cancer, required treatment not available in Zambia.
However, the courts have so far declined to grant him bail pending appeal.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, April 8, 2025
