Sata in Israel for medical treatment

JERUSALEM/LUSAKA. — Zambian president Michael Sata is in Israel for medical treatment, Israeli officials have confirmed.
Israeli president Shimon Peres’ office confirmed that president Sata had been invited.
This contradicted statements issued by the Zambian government that the president was on a “working visit” at the invitation of Israeli president Shimon Peres.
Rumours have been circulating in the Zambian capital Lusaka for some time that President Sata was ill, possibly suffering from cancer.

Adding fuel to the rumours, the Zambian Watchdog reported that a top army source had confirmed president Sata’s illness.
Meanwhile, a Zambian newspaper “The Post” reported that due to the confusion and suspicion, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mkhondo Lungu had demanded clarification from vice president Guy Scott regarding president Sata’s “working holiday in Israel” — a mystery not made clearer by the fact that Peres is in the United States, as member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu pointed out.

Scott had told parliament that president Sata’s schedule in Israel would be combined with sight-seeing, relaxation and business meetings.
“Unfortunately, it is also asserted that he (president Sata) is doing this at the invitation of the Israeli president Mr Shimon Peres. This is misleading because President Sata is not there on a state visit but on a private working holiday.

“Of course, the Israeli president is aware of president Sata’s presence in Israel and will no doubt meet him when it will be convenient for both leaders.
“Meanwhile, president Sata will be combining sight-seeing, relaxation and business meetings,” Scott said. — haaretz.com/Times of Zambia/HR.