Melo News | Wednesday,17 January 2024 | Lusaka
Media reports claiming that the late former Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander and Cabinet Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha committed suicide have been debunked by his family. They vehemently deny these allegations and emphasize that there is no truth to such claims. The family is deeply saddened by the loss of their loved one and is currently grieving his passing. They urge the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time and refrain from spreading false information. It is important to rely on accurate sources and verified information before drawing any conclusions about this tragic event.
The spokesperson has categorically denied the claims that the former ZAF commander, Lt Gen Shikapwasha, took his own life. The 76-year-old military veteran tragically passed away on Monday night at the Maina Soko Military Hospital. This unfortunate event occurred after a shooting incident at his residence in the serene neighborhood of Ibex Hill in Lusaka. Lt Gen Shikapwasha had been undergoing treatment at the hospital prior to his untimely demise. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, and the spokesperson’s statement aims to clarify any misconceptions about the incident.
According to Mr. Mapushi, it is important to clarify that the individual in question did not intentionally harm himself with a firearm. Instead, an incident involving a shooting took place within his residence. The authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances and events that unfolded during this unfortunate incident.
On Sunday, General Shikapwasha was rushed to the hospital following a distressing incident at his residence involving a gunshot. The medical team swiftly performed a surgery on him, which lasted from approximately 18:30 until midnight. Once the operation was completed, it was revealed that he had sustained injuries to several vital organs. Unfortunately, his spleen was irretrievably damaged, and other organs within his body were also affected. Consequently, the doctors informed us that another surgical procedure would be necessary to address these complications and restore his health.
Despite the anticipation of a surgeon being brought in from Ndola on Monday, there was still no sign of relief for him. The situation became even more worrisome when we learned that his blood pressure was constantly fluctuating, posing a significant risk if they were to proceed with the surgery before his condition stabilized. Tragically, at 21:43 hours, he succumbed to his injuries in the intensive care unit. It was determined that his cause of death was attributed to acute abdominal trauma resulting from gunshot wounds.
