LUSAKA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of people gathered at a church in Lusaka, the Zambian capital for a funeral service of the country's former Vice President Lupando Mwape who died last week.
President Edgar Lungu led hundreds of senior government officials, opposition leaders and ordinary citizens in paying their last respects to the former vice-president, who was 68, during a somber service held at the church.
Solemn music characterized the funeral service, with family members clad in black attire.
The Zambian leader described the former vice president as a gallant son of the land who had integrity and a strong desire to see a better Zambia.
He told the funeral service that the former vice president had an approachable persona which made it easy for anyone to interact with him, adding that he had left behind an impressive ad admirable career both in public service and in politics.
After the church service, the former vice president's body was taken to Leopard Memorial Park for burial.
The government declared three days of national mourning in honor of the former president from Friday, when his body arrived in the country from South Africa where he died.
The government had evacuated him to a South African hospital for specialized treatment.
He served as vice president under late President Levy Mwanawasa between 2004 and 2007 and was Zambia's ambassador to the People's Republic of China between 2007 and 2009.
