Body of former minister of disabilities in the Joyce Banda administration, late Rachel Kamchacha Kachaje, was laid to rest on Saturday at Linga in Traditional Authority Mwase in Kasungu.

The funeral was accorded military honours as per directive of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

Representing the President was Minister of Local Government Lingson Belekanyama who described late Kachaje as ‘humble and with integrity’.

In 2001 Southern African Federation of the Disabled recognized late Kachaje to be part of them and she was elected chair between 2002 and 2007 and was first woman to be chair of the federation.

In 2002 together with friends established Disability Women in Africa an organisation that champions for the rights of women with disabilities in Africa.

In 2007 she was elected deputy chair for Disabled People International responsible for development and was in 2011 re-elected on same position.

In October 2013 though not being a politician, she was appointed as Minister of Disability and Elderly Affairs.