Former Vice President Benefits
By Dickson Jere
I have received a number of queries as to whether all former Vice Presidents of the Republic of Zambia will start receiving benefits once the Benefits of Former Presidents and Vice Presidents Bill is passed in Parliament. The simple answer to that question is “YES” and if they are deceased, their surviving spouses will receive the benefits provided that they have not remarried. If their children are below age of 21 years, they will also be entitled.
The Bill traces back the Vice President position to 1964 and also included those who held positions equivalent to that position. This, by interpretation, means even those who served as Prime Ministers are entitled. Maybe even Secretary General of UNIP who was defacto number two – Grey Zulu is this case.
The former number twos will receive 80 percent of the incumbent salary, a motor vehicle to be maintained by the State with fuel.
However, houses will only be built for those who served as Vice Presidents under the 2016 Constitutional Amendment which included the Running-mate clause. So, for now, it is only Mama Inonge Wina and Mama Mutale Nalumango who are entitled to the benefits of the Retirement Houses or cash to be used to purchase own houses.
The Bill is somehow quiet on persons such as Late Levy Mwanawasa, SC and late Rupiah Banda who served as both Vice Presidents and later Presidents. Will they receive double perks? Since they held two different positions? These are issues Parliament needs to clarify at this stage before this Bill is made law to avoid legal challenges.
Another clarity that the Bill needs to take care of is what happens to the Vice President who ascends to the Presidency when there is a vacancy? Since there will be no elections? Will that veep enjoy both benefits of two offices? Parliament needs to handle these.
Anyway, I intend to appear before the Parliamentary Committee and make my views known.
The benefits will only be given if one is not in active politics.
The following – former Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers- qualifies or their spouse or children under 21 years old;
1. Rueben Chitandika Kamanga
2. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe
3. Mainza Chona
4. Levy Mwanawasa
5. Gen Godfrey Miyanda
6. Gen Christon Tembo
7. Enoch Percy Kavindele
8. Nevers Mumba
9. Lupando Mwape
10. Rupiah Bwezani Banda
11. George Kunda, SC
12. Guy Scott
13. Inonge Wina
14. Mutale Nalumango
15. Elijah Mudenda (Prime Minister)
16. Daniel Lisulo (Prime Minister)
17. Nalumino Mundia (Prime Minister)
18. Gen Malimba Masheke (Prime Minister)
19. Kebby Musokotwane (Prime Minister)
20. Grey Zulu (Secretary General) – subject to interpretation
