Zambia’s main opposition leader, Anderson Mazoka, has died in a South African hospital after suffering from prolonged kidney complications, his spokesperson announced on Wednesday.
Mazoka (63) was admitted to Johannesburg’s Morningside hospital two weeks ago for his routine medical review and check-up, said Patrick Chisanga, spokesperson of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
”He passed on in the early hours of Wednesday,” added Chisanga.
Mazoka, a wealthy businessman and former MD of South Africa’s mining giant Anglo American Corporation, lost the 2001 presidential elections to President Levy Mwanawasa by a slim margin.
After the 2001 elections, his health deteriorated, which made him spend most of his time in South Africa for treatment.
Mazoka was president of Zambia’s biggest opposition party, the UPND, which formed an alliance in March with other two opposition parties in order to field one presidential candidate against Mwanawasa in this year’s elections.
The death of Mazoka leaves Edith Nawakwi, a vibrant woman opposition leader, as the likely candidate for the United Democratic Alliance to stand against Mwanawasa.
Mazoka commanded a lot of support in southern Zambia where his party scooped all parliamentary seats in the 2001 elections, and he was tipped to be a strong contender in this year’s general elections. — Sapa-AFP