President Edgar Lungu has declared August 24, 2021 the day his predecessor Hakainde Hichilema will be sworn in as Zambia’s 7th president, a holiday.

According to the statement this publication has seen, President Lungu has done so in order to facilitate smooth handling of the inauguration of Hichilema and to let citizens to be part of the special occasion.

“This serves to inform you that his Excellency the President has declared August 24, 2021 the day of the swearing in ceremony of the president elect and the vice president elect as public holiday.”

“This is to facilitate for the smooth handling of the inauguration of the 7th president of the republic and to enable citizens to be part of this event which will be held at Heroes Stadium,” read the statement.

The statement has therefore urged institutions that provide essential service to ensure that adequate arrangement are put in place to avoid disruption in the provision of such services.

Hichilema amassed victorious in the August 12, 20231 general elections defeating Lungu with the difference of over a million votes.