Zambians in 'Mugabe must go' demo

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe emerged this week after a five week long leave and began official duty by flying out to Zambia only to be denounced by Zambians who expressed their dislike for him.

The Zimbabwean leader travelled to attend the inauguration of Zambia's new leader well before the results were announced.

Mugabe, who is SADC chair and African Union incoming chair, was met at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Zambia's Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkandu Luo and Zimbabwe's ambassador Getrude Takawira and her deputy Marshall Matutu.

But a group of Zambians gathered around Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka chanting "Mugabe must go" in clear demonstration of their dislike for the veteran dictator.

Ruling party Patriotic Front candidate Edgar Lungu was tipped to win in this week's presidential election after building what appeared to be an unassailable lead against his closet rival, Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development.

Results issued by the Electoral Commission of Zambia last night gave Lungu a slight lead with Hichilema just behind him.

Final results were expected Saturday when the new president would also be expected to be inaugurated.

Zambians voted for a new leader on January 20 in elections that were extended by a day due to inaccessibility of some areas due to flooding.

The elections followed the death of President Michael Sata in October 2014.