VETERAN politician Rankin Sikasula has died at age 87. The former deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, who also served in the office of the Vice-President, died on Sunday night on his way to hospital.

The late politician’s son, Joseph, confirmed the death of Mr Sikasula, who also once served as United National Independence Party member of the central committee and Zambia’s Ambassador to France, Mozambique and Germany. Joseph said his father, who is survived by 10 children, has been battling chronic kidney disease.

“I wish to confirm that our father, Rankin Titus Sikasula, born in 1932, passed on last night after an illness. He has not been feeling well the past two months and he developed a complication last night,” Mr Sikasula said. Joseph said his father had been receiving treatment and died enroute to the University Teaching Hospitals.