Zambian opposition leader stable after heart attack

Zambia’s main opposition leader Michael Sata was in a stable condition in Johannesburg’s Milpark hospital on Saturday after having a heart attack.

“He is in the cardiac care unit ...,” said hospital spokesperson Amelda Swartz. “He is going to have an angiogram this afternoon.”

Zambian Health Minister Brian Chituwo said that Sata had a “severe heart attack” late on Friday.

At the time of his evacuation, which was facilitated by the Zambian government, his condition was “poor”, said Chituwo said in a telephone interview from Lusaka.

An archrival of President Levy Mwanawasa, Sata is a former government minister who served in various positions before defecting from the ruling party to form the Patriotic Front, which is Zambia’s largest opposition party.

Swartz said Sata would probably have been flown to Lanseria Airport then transferred to the hospital by ambulance.

She confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack.

She said he was conscious and there was someone with him, but she did not know if it was a member of his family. - Sapa