Deceased Zambian doctor’s family demands compensation, footage

The family of the late Zambian doping officer Joseph Kabungo has demanded compensation and video footage evidence from Caf and Fifa on the circumstances leading to his death in Nigeria on March 29, 2022. The Zambia team doctor Dr Kabungo allegedly collapsed after the violence-laden World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana at Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

In view of this, family representative Webster Nonde made the demands in Lusaka at a press conference on Thursday. “We are demanding that Caf and Fifa give us complete footage showing Dr Kabungo in the stadium all the way to the point where it is claimed that he collapsed near the visiting team, Ghana, changing room…it is a very vital piece of information to help us in mourning and help us have closure in this matter that has affected us,” Nonde said at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.

He said they wanted the footage because the autopsy report showed that the violence triggered the Zambia team doctor’s death. “They need to institute a proper inquest which should investigate thoroughly so that the real events that culminated in the death of our dear loved one are brought to the fore,” Nonde said.

He added that the welfare of Dr Kabungo’s children and wife would never be the same; hence, Fifa should compensate them fairly. “We need a fair compensation because Dr Kabungo desired to provide for his family, to see his family graduate through the various stages of life…to allow the children to go through their education unhindered,” he said.

Earlier reports had suggested that Dr Kabungo died during a stampede, but the Ministry of Information in Zambia dismissed such rumours, saying he had complained of tiredness earlier before the game. Football Association of Zambia president Andrew Kamanga and Medical Association of Zambia officials witnessed the press briefing.

Kabungo is reported to have collapsed while heading to the anti-doping room at the end of the match, which was marred by violence following Nigeria’s failed World Cup qualification bid. The final qualifying match ended 1-1 on the afternoon for Ghana to sail through on an away goal rule. Dr Kabungo served in the Zambian team that won the first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012.
By Peter Kanjere