NAREP President Elias Chipimo has clarified that there is nothing illegal with the decision to start constructing President Michael Sata’s retirement home.
Mr. Chipimo said the decision to commence the constructing of Mr. Sata’s retirement home only raises the question of priorities.
He said the law is clear that a house shall be constructed and handed over to a former President but does not restrict when such a house should be constructed.
Mr. Chipimo said it is even cheaper to construct retirement homes for Heads of States before they retire unlike having to pay rent for them as they wait for their houses to be ready.
He observed that people raising the constitutionality of the decision are merely trying to score political mileage over the matter.
Chipimo. shut up. You and ka nawakwi are looking for jobs from sata.. Politics is not about making maney but service.. foolish chap
You are the one who should shut up as you don’t know what you are doing. You just want to criticise everything. Learn to criticise where it matters. What is wrong with building a house now. what Chipimo is saying is truth.
You are the FOOLISH CHAP. Dull chap in fact
@Yaba.True the fool is you because you cant even support your argument.
at YABA,take your frustration very far maybe to ZDW not here…you cant even convince your own children.very childish
…and if you learned how to spell and articulate yourself, then maybe just maybe, your point can be taken seriously. Other than that, you are just an air head, a vaccum and just plain ignorant!
This boy is not ripe for politics. Let him concentrate on his business. The question that everyone is asking is why do that when Levy, Chiluba, Rupiah’s houses have not been constructed yet. All these are currently renting. Why not clear them now than build Sata’s house who is in State house? Sometime one wonders if politicians think before they talk. I thought you were wise and intelligent Elias but alas you are not.
Lawyer alanda! It is true the issue is that of priority especially that houses for the other Presidents have not been built. However, why not approach it differently if it is cheaper and legal.
aba batata aba, u never know where he stands. ukwalola umwela eko twalola!
What has Chipimo said that is wrong according to you. The problem is that you already have your mind set in a certain way you want opposition leaders to criticise. He is saying the truth and you don’t like that and so it hurts.
Effective use of Tools Of Analysis.
The young man clearly uses his brains.
These lawyers are just confusing us. Is Chipimo saying the term “former head os state” has no significance in the law? The house is supposed to be built for the former president, and not the sitting president. So how can Chipimo say there is nothing wrong? Even a layman knows what “former head of state” means. Please do not confuse us just because you have a soft spot for Sata. Zambia is for all of us and in fact, this is tax payers money involved here. We all have a stake. Politicians should not hijack the process by using their twisted language. We want straight people who care about the meagre resources that are being wasted everyday. For instance, the president uses a chopper between the airport and statehouse. Which is economical, to use the road or to fly?
flying is much cheap
I agree with you, Chipimo is missing the point. When one becomes ‘former’, that is the time they are in a position to either choose a house to buy or a site where the retirement house will be built. There is everything legal about this issue.
Who is this fool who says flying is cheaper? Sata is just scared of people protesting at these anoying police escorts as if the president is scared of stopping in public just incase people start protesting or blocking the roads like his PF cadres used to do to Levy.
This policy of escorts needs to stop and let Sata buy his own petrol like he used to do when n opposition.
He keeps wasting taxpayers money in silly things when people are without power,water and food on the table.
He is just acting like his father Mugabe who thinks he is worth more than the little people.
Yes, flying to and from the airport by the President is far much economically cheaper you factor in costs associated wiith motorised Presiidential escort, time and fuel costs associated with the police blockade of the Presidential route to and from the airport, etc.
Mr NAREP Chipimo sometimes seeks undue publicity, frivolously so. Whilst law may be the ultimate sanction, there are matters of principle, morality and ethics to consider before resorting to legal considerations. The fact that some his [Sata} predecesors haven’t had theirs houses completed yet should entail that he ought to give them priority. Why is Sata jumping the queue? Easy Ellias.
Excellent observation.
Chipimo is a very matured politician. He only criticizes when it is necessary and in a civilized manner.
maturity? i dont know but he is spot on.his augment makes more sense than that of MMD and UPND
If you find this man Intelligent or smart you need your head examined. He does inspire confidence and talks to avoid being seen as innocuous in his statements
HE sporadically speaks sense and always avoids slandering anyone, all traits not associated to a brave, bright inspiring leader. He is way behind HH, and I despise HH
Either way as a PhD don’t know why I am commenting in this really
Thanks
@Mushota You are the one who needs your brain checked…You cannot find anything that makes building Sata a house illegal…What Chipimo is saying is that it is not a priority….we can do some things that are more important so he’s not supporting the move but pointing out the fact that there is no illegality at all…..only a legal mind can see that not a “phd” student.
You comment because you cant keep your mouth shut and are always showing how foolish you are even with a PHD.
Your schooling is poor and your analytical skills are weak.
Please stay with Nick washing his dishes and nappies.
You have said so many times you hate Zambia and its way of life but you comment from afar as if your being paid by PF to promote lies instead of truths.
Mushota you are silly,meaningless and irrelevant in these debates.
For once, “the PhD student” has made an admirable observation.
Mushota, is that really the way you look? Sexually provocative?
:) Just as simple as that. HH does not have any constructive points or if he has, he misuses them. This is wise way of approaching the issue. Priority is the key issue here. Thanks, Elias.
This is honourable. Opposition should criticise when it is necessary, and they should commend when that is the right thing to do.
The good thing is that this man does not confuse a spade for a big spoon. Therefore, if you expect him to talk for political expedience then you will surely find him confusing.
Chipimo alelanda ifyamano sana bane.How much did the government spend paying for rent yaba mudala ba KK naba Chiluba ? Ala fimo bane mulechita analyse bwino before tamulaisula akanwa.Uyu umulumendo alibwino sana, kabili wachishinka.
Nothing indeed illegal about building the house now it remains property of GRZ until such a time Sata becomes former President then it be assigned to him. About the other former Presidents Housing can some advise whether allocations for them have not already been released in previous budgets? It is in fact financially prudent to build now rather than later because a K1.4bn ($250,000) house built today how much will it cost to build come 2016 or 2021 (2nd term)…and we certainly don’t want a situation where GRZ starts renting Sata’s Rhodes Park home from him as we wait to build him a house like the case when state house was being renovated just after he became President. Build so from Plot One straight into former president house no nonsense of renting lodges or personal homes!
Wat about maintenance of the same house.if it is completed today will it be in the same state 9 years from today assuming sata finishes his two terms.this is an irresponsible act.
What Chipimo says may sound sensible but in actual fact shows how detached he is to reality. There is nothing illegal with denying a dying man food or help yet there is everything inhuman and immoral. Elias should have gone further to expand on the immorality of Satas actions especially that the other former Heads of state have not had their houses built. It shows that Elias has no capacity to address deeply rooted greed, corruption and immorality. By further saying that it is just an issue of priorities, but yet cheaper to build a house in advance, he is contradicting himself.
i think he z a sick young man.he should jst shut up o help him close his mouth
“….the law is clear that a house shall be constructed and handed over to a former President….” Mr Chpimo are u ok Boss, u see nothing wrong with sata constructing his house now??? Infact its not Sata to construct his house, the next president should build Sata’s house just lyk Sata should build RB’s now. If Sata builts his retirement house now it means he will be occupying two important govnt houses. State house and the retirement house. So for the next eight or nine yrs who will be staying in that house?? At whoz expense??? Is that not more expensive???? Chipimo are u normal???? U nid image builders too elo apapena wafaula u under 2..
Iwe it is not Sata constructing the house but the State constructing for him…they can still handover to him after two 2 years of retirement…it will still be legal. What Chipimo is saying is that there is no provision on WHEN to start the construction so starting now doesn’t make it illegal. Period!
So whoz decision was it??? Was it not Sata who decided??? Dont live in an imaginary world, be real!!
Tiye nabo mudala!!!
When the law state ‘former’ is means ‘former’. And even if it was legal as Chipimo state y shud taxer payer money be spent on a house that will only be used in 2021. This is selfish to the core!
Iwe mate this is what Chipimo is saying it’s not the issue of illigality but priority.
Chipimo is exactly right, building the house does not mean handing it over to the President while he is still in power. It is just like, if Government already had institutional houses which it used to give to former Heads of State.
If this House is indeed being constructed, it will remain property of the State and will ony be handed over to HEMCS upon retirement and not before!!
K1.4bn or US$250,000 is rather modest for Former President…lets just make sure the house is built by NHA or a local ZAMBIAN contractor and local ZAMBIAN architect as Project Manager…they employ youth (bricklayers, carpenters, daka boys etc)…and if the house is built now but Sata dies as sitting president or is impeached the state can sell the house for its market value most likely at a profit.
This is just the biggining, wait for next year’s budget and you will find an amount probably double that for the same house. This is where the irony of starting early lies.
I do not dislike Chipimo but anyone who has criticized him for not standing up a is quiet right
If you are in opposition and you consent to what the current regime is doing , you might as well keep quiet, if he so agrees what the current regime has been doing, he might as well join them
He is too soft, not a daredevil enough to be a political pawn, he is shooting himself in the shoe and reminds me of the students who get distinctions and cum laude at Universities thinking they have a divine right to do well at work
He seems smart but has no traits of being a good opposition leader, it is like having Weah being a president of Liberia or Kalusha being a sports minister, it doesn’t add up. he is Bemba like me but a terrible opposition
Thanks
Now ur talking, how i wish u’ were owez been lyk this… congrats
nice comments atleast you have shown some maturity.
This is the fake Mushota… check the flag. Real Mushota is from USA.
Mushota, you live in the UK but you can’t differentiate the word quiet from the word quite, let alone use them correctly??
I am from USA you dope head, I am from Scotland
and
I do not know why my flag is this color at work, but British when I am home
Mushota, you are now making LT boring, why have you changed the game plan? we need the actress not the real one, common, you are now losing your position, what is Bwalya Chiselema going to do now, no colleagues any more, you dont make sense when you get real.
Mushota for president!!
This was a long way coming. Excellent point Mushota.
I have just come to love Mushota….Hey Mushota, Love you!!! If that guy disappoints you, please, I will be waiting for you.
CANT THEY BUILD THEIR OWN HOUSES? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the way these brainless zambians behave, when this house is about to be handed over we shall see a huge bill for renovating the same.
This Boy Chipimo was once pipo’s hope to be the next president when he was speaking sence now povert has reduced him to a puppet its sad i will rally behind HH now mwee why is SATA taking long to give Kipimo a Job? MUSHOTA i missed you and your fan but nice commets
I note he eats from Sata’s table, as the saying goes: you don’t bite the finger that feeds you.
Yabaa, What Povi can do!!!! Anyway forgive Chipimo he is lost. Surely a house has not been constructed for the late Chiluba, Levy and RB and you talk of a house for the current, what kind of law school did this boy go to kanshi!!!!
we should it be a priority as if he is about to retire and there is no accomodation? this old man wants to contest 2016 as well or will the house take 10yrs to finish? logically the money shud be directed to some urgent nids like sorting out the congestion, water problems in kitwe they now have water only morning and bathing only 2 times a week
this boy chipimo sometimes amazes me. how does this government start paying sata his terminal benefits when he is still working leaving the retired presidents?. how many pensioners have not have not yet received their terminal benefits and are languishing in poverty?. why start paying someone who is still working?. it is self explanatory ” selfishness of these hyenas”.
That is what Chipimo is saying…priorities. I am glad he amazes you in a good way.
Building one and handing over one are two different things you people.It doesn`t mean that if the constructions finishes now then it will be handed over to him.
They build a House for KAUNDA AND ITS GOOD HE IS STILL LIVING. But others am sorry they are let now so I do not know how they will benefit to this rotten system. These people must learn to build their own houses not tax payers money PLEASE MPs DO Something this LAW IS USELESS TO A POOR COUNTRY LIKE ZAMBIA.
It becomes a major problem when you have leaders who are not coherent with what they say. Isn’t Chipimo contradicting himself? On one hand, he says there is no problem building Mr Sata a house while on the other, he admits that a question of priorities. Those priorities Mr Chipimo is the problem your fellow opposition leaders are saying. Why do you want to expose your ignorance at this point and yet you started this game very well? What did they feed you on in Brazil? C’mon, Mr Chipimo, get life. Don’t follow blindly. You were going to be Zambia’s sixth President in 2016 but alas, i am disappointed with your utterances lately.
Bo Sikufele! Chipimo is not contradicting himself. He said that it is not illegal to build that house but that it is not a priority. It is that simple.
I agree with you chipimo.
This issue of building mansions for former presidents is contentious in itself, especially in a poor country like Zambia. Being president is about service and making sacrifices not an avenue to secure a lavish retirement. I’m tired of politicians complaining that they made more money in private business than in government, no one forced you to stand for election. This is the problem with having ‘career politicians’ as opposed to those who legitimately want to serve their country.
Job application, pure and simple.
ba kapokola naimwe you are the one who is confused, surely chipimo has even mentioned that its just a matter of priority to build satas house but you still blame him.building the house for the former head of state becomes cheaper for the govt before he retires unlike constructing it when hes already in retirement.govt pays a lot of money in terms of rentals so i support what chipimo has said.
RB house has not yet been built, Retirerees have not yet been paid their money, why is he rushing to have his house built now he has 10 more years to go that’s if his health permits him. And for you Ka chipimo just shut upp the law says a house shall be constructed for former, not sitting president . The could have stated building it 2 years before he retires that’s reasonable . So just shut up ,HH is our only hope now
Mr Chipimo, don’t mislead your followers. We know you are capable of analysing issues accurately but on this one you missed the point. What’s the point of advancing an “illegality” hiding behind technicalities? What Sata wants to do here is similar to what his nephew, the Kitwe mayor, wants to do in Kitwe. They both want to award themselves benefits they don’t deserve, at the expense of tax payers. They are doing it legally, by your(Chipimo) standards! Are you going to behave this way if voted in power sir?
Musohta, what happened to your “white man”??? He is conspicuously missing in your posts!Lol.. On a serious note, your posts sound somewhat more mature, and somewhat sensible..truly growing up perhaps?
Are some laywers that dull in Zambia? the guy is dreaming of a house in his first year and wants to contest the 2016 elections yet the house should be built for him now to be handed over God forbid in 2022 does that chipimo guy know the cost of renovations? The law clearly states former presidents retirement home you i.dyot.
Njala yamunyokola chipiniooo.. VIVA HH ..spot on we r behind u,,why not complete yaba chiluba,levy or comrade RB??
Off side Elias!ba KK has not gotten his house yet;Rupial,Levy and Chiluba double standards.We need people who have the means to build houses for themselve in this position of President.Primitive law indeed.Imagine Obama or Mitt Romney asking for a house?take it out of the constitution its a premitive law.Sata has got houses already whats the big deal;i thought PF is pro poor people???red card Chipimo on this one.Would be better to keep quiet.
Now even Church pastors and Reverends of churches are asking there churches to build them houses.Its an in thing now.New culture???
the chap should know when to yap..nonsense..
the bafoon misfired. i have never trusted this fool.you ask him about improving the economy, he only knows about bio fuel. kaunda knew about that in the 80’s. so just shut up you grey haired monkey.
i dont really follow Mr Chipimo because i take him to an under five. but i see sense in the issue raised and his concern is justified. talk more i will listen now.
Primitive law if you ask me! Head of state worried about a house at taxpayer’s expense? Pro poor regime indeed,and this kasusungila just kusabaila sabaila,no wonder you cant even get a decent vote in any election
Some of you ‘bloggers” just DO NOT undersatnd english do you? Chipimo is simply saying, by LAW, there’s nothing WRONG with constructing the president’s retirement house. The only issue that can be raised (if at all there’s even one) is PRIORITIZATION of this constrcution. Our constitution provides for the construction of a president’s retirement house, period!
Chipomo further states that, it makes sense to build the house before the president is out of office because it will be less costly on the tax payers. Some of you maybe wondering what the point is here. Well, when the president is NOLONGER in the office (State House), the GRZ (tax payer) has to pay for his rental accomodation until the house is finished. If you still don’t get Chipimo’s point, see a head doctor!
Kapish?
It may be legal but doing so is an extremely retarded move If he is not going to live in the house not until 2022 i.e. if he goes for a second term. Don’t you think the same money can be invested in other business ventures, UTH facilities etc and then build a house when he is retired and after all his predecessors are taken care of? If he wants a house now, let them change the constitution to avoid paying rentals after his retirement…
The Analyst from Tokyo, I hear you. Not with standing the cost of inflation in our economy, it is true that those resources can and should perhaps be used in areas where there is a “real” need. But let us not stray away from the core issue here which is, PRIORITY. Yes, the constituion should perhaps be ammended to over come this circumstance. Am sure, the tax payers will not mind paying for Sata’s rent after he’s out of office just like they are paying for other president(s) in Zambia. Let us all be clear that, commencing to build a sitting presidents’ house is NOT ILLEGAL by any means, but it just doesn’t look right morally more especially when other former presidents haven’t been accorded this retirement entitlement yet. So, we can agree to disagree right? It’s friday…
RB house has not yet been built, Retirerees have not yet been paid their money, why is he rushing to have his house built now he has 10 more years to go that’s if his health permits him. And for you Ka chipimo just shut upp the law says a house shall be constructed for former, not sitting president . They could have stated building it 2 years before he retires that’s reasonable . So just shut up ,HH is our only hope now
Elias! Retirement benefits are a form of thank you for the job well done! If your breadwinner commits serious offences against the Zambian people during his tenure and his is impeached or kicked out or better still God recalls him,do you think he deserves the nonsense you are advocating for?
ALL your arguments should be about the provision in the Zambian constitution and NOT Chipimo’s point.
Chipimo is merely pointing out the facts: Some of you are calling him stupit and all these uncanny terms, but in truth, it is you who should grow up and be a positive influence on your own society. Yes, “being president is about service and making sacrifices not an avenue to secure a lavish retirement.” #27 Kapotwe: so, do you suggest Sata forgoes this entitlement? Well, if politics is about service, tell RB to relinquish his retirements benefits then! Tell KK to reliquish his retirement benefits then. RIP to Levy and FTJ. You are a Zambian aren’t you? Voice your opinion on the current draft constitution and make your point! It’s simple guys: PICK YOUR BATTLES WISELY!
What if He dies in power, does he still deserve a house?
levy still got a house
Sata is not a former head of state ! Elias Chipimo President of the PF sponsored NAREP. This Chipimo foetus has no moral campus. Why Sata in a hurry to build his retirement home when his predecessors have not yet been catered for? This is the same man who has increased his salary and allowances by 100% and yet his sycophants want to make us believe that he has a “heart for the poor”. No country what we have here is a calculating self centred tribalist and kleptomanic. He is in State House not to serve people but to HARVEST on behalf of himself, clan and tribe! Pathetic President! Zambia deserves better!
Sata has a heart for the poor; HIMSELF. remember it was donchi kubeba. the poor in question was himself and his clan.
Though your language is passionate, the essence of your debate cannot be rebuked. I voted for PF for what I then thought was ‘people’ president. Alaabee and Chanda Chimbwi (Chimba) could no persuade me otherwise. Now these actions like pre-retirement pension (house) and celebration of denial of fundamental freedom of expression by Jere and Katanga are saying I should have listened to the advise of ‘mambala’ Alaabee and CC no 3!!!!
What a whimp, did he even bother to look at the wording in the constitution?
Chipimo, I once thought you have a sane mind, but alas!…..you seem to be job hunting just like Edith was. What happens if for example the President is impeached before his term ends? I thought the law says a house can be built for a qualifying ‘former’ head of state?
Some fool has increased his salary by more than 100%, has moved critical an fiancially rewarding dept to his home and is continuing to milk blood out of the cow. Sad. Hope he doesnt shuffle off the mortal coil before qualification for the house. Otherwise its folly
He is just too ugly to be president you people.
Chipimo does not know whether to oppose or join PF. I feel sorry for him. Building a house for sitting predsident is simply paying retirement benefits to an employee who is still working. Building the house now is illogical, who is going to occupy it while sata is still at plot 1?
Chipimo is a job seeker in PF. The law is clear, a house is to be constructed for the former president not the current president who is being accommodated in the state house on tax payer funding. Zambians your resources are being abused. The loan recently obtained is the one prompting all this abuse and soon the tax payer will have to start paying the loan back with nothing to show for it but very rich politicians. Teachers, police, soldiers, doctors, nurses and other government workers try to ask for your retairement funds now before you retair and see what you will be told. wake up Zambia..
is Sata a former head of state Mr learned lawyer? so after construction who will the house be handed to because Sata will still be a sitting president.
I am a civil servant the law says that when I retire I shall receive a lumpsum and then be pensioned…I want the boma to give me the lumpsum now so that when I retire I wont have to queue at pension house to get my money spending money buying food and all…..is this against the law? It only makes sense that when I retire I just leave office ziiiii
Hahahahahahaahahhahahahahahahahahaahahahahaha________hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Yaba wansekesha iwe lemmy. You can’t equate a physical structure (house) to your pension. Yes, as a civil servant, you are indeed entitled to the above but only when and specifically after YOU retire! You do make an amusing point though. You get a thumbs up for effort!
Spot on.
I have said it on this blog many time before – Chipimo is not presidential material
He is just an overzealous, eloquent and smooth talker. In Bemba we can say that alikwate inchinchi or alibensa
Nothing more nothing less.
At last kipimo has showed his foolishness. The serpent is in active politics, KK was told to quit active politics in order to access his pension and accomodation, so with Kiluba. Now what is special with the serpent? kipimo shut yo mouse if u do not have any ideas!
Chipimo, iye uluse
Cap 15; Benefits of former president: 4A. (1) In addition to the benefits set out in section four, there shall be-
(a) assigned to a former President within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice;
(b) provided to former President immediately upon ceasing to hold office housing accommodation as the government considers fit before the house referred to in paragraph (a) is assigned to the former President(end). Snr Counsel Chpimo, building a retirement house for a sitting president is not in the spirit of the legislation. Can other senior counsels come in; I really ge amazed that lawyers sit ndwii when another is misleading the nation.
Parrot ulicikali
Parot, spot on. Correct…where is the dead LAZ in all this?
Hey, I didn’t know this man Chipimo is such a baboon. I mean we are PF but can’t support this. This plays right in the hands of the opposition!
CHIPIMO OUT-SMARTS HH AND NERVES MUMBA IN THINKING. THAT’S WAHT WE CALL CONSTRUCTIVE THINKING. NOT UKULABWATABWATAFYE.
Foolish thinking people like u r the ones who make such double headed snakes like chipimo still survive in a political arena when their inconsistencies should have rendered null in the political process. U r so easily & cheaply cheated no wonder recycles like sata cheat u & rule u.
A clear case of one law for one set of individuals and another for you civil servants. You are expected to go queue for you entitlement which only kick in after retiring.
You bloggers supporting Chipimo on this one should be ashamed of yourselves. This govt can’t allow Scott to act as acting president because of the law and you say that it is okay for him not to act because the law forbids him to do so. This govt is against Zambians having more than one passport because because the law does not allow dual citizenship and we respect what the law says. But the same law says that the house should only be built for a former president and you are supporting Sata breaking the law. hypocrites! Morally it is wrong for Sata to build his own house when he has not yet built houses for the other former presidents. Sata has state house. Why the rush to build himself a house? Is state house haunted or not?
Ok, since there’s all this talk about the “law”, can someone be so kind as to quote and post verbatim here what the “law” says on this issue please? I think most of you criticizing Chipomo are doing it either out of lack of understanding of what his point is or just mere hate. Chipimo is NOT saying ati: Yes go and build Sata’s retirement house now. Rather: it’s an entitlement = retirement benefit. Now, here is the issue: PRIORITY!!!!!!! Prioritizing this construction is what maybe raise concerns because, a retirement home for the most recent former president (RB) is yet to be built. But in hindsight, it would NOT be a bad idea to pre-construct such a house in the tax payers’ COST interest in the long run. Chipimo has enough common sense but he’s dealing with ignoramuses here.
Cap 15; Benefits of former president: 4A. (1) In addition to the benefits set out in section four, there shall be-
(a) assigned to a former President within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice;
(b) provided to former President immediately upon ceasing to hold office housing accommodation as the government considers fit before the house referred to in paragraph (a) is assigned to the former President(end). Snr Counsel Chpimo, building a retirement house for a sitting president is not in the spirit of the legislation. Can other senior counsels come in; I really ge amazed that lawyers sit ndwii when another is misleading the nation.
MR CHIPHIMO MUST FOLLOW THE ROUTIN FROM FIRST TO THE LAST OR PRESENT
Elias Chipimo Jr what a misjudgement how can GRZ build a house for Sata yet FTJ and Levy including RB nothing has come up yet.
No my dear Chipimo, totally wrong on this one. If the House is built today and MCS continues to be President for the next 9 yrs – it will cost more – the house will require Security, Maintenance, Insurance, opportunity cost of money and other resources, etc. The house itself is a pension and is only payable on retirement! Think again Sir!
Cap 15; Benefits of former president: 4A. (1) In addition to the benefits set out in section four, there shall be-
(a) assigned to a former President within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice;
(b) provided to former President immediately upon ceasing to hold office housing accommodation as the government considers fit before the house referred to in paragraph (a) is assigned to the former President(end). Snr Counsel Chpimo, building a retirement house for a sitting president is not in the spirit of the legislation. Can other senior counsels come in; I really ge amazed that lawyers sit ndwii when another is misleading the nation.
Former = Having a particular position in the PAST (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).
IS SATA FORMER PRESIDENT??????
njala yamunjokola uyu mwana
#52 Matolokoshi, you said: “Morally it is wrong for Sata to build his own house when he has not yet built houses for the other former presidents”
That indeed is the ONLY issue here. Which is what Chipimo means when he said: ” Mr. Chipimo said the decision to commence the constructing of Mr. Sata’s retirement home only raises the question of priorities”.
So, you’re very correct my friend in that, it looks selfish for a sitting president to rush this entitlement before he even retires…again, (priorities) so, you can ask another question. Why is the president in a hurry? The “positive” flipside of this would be, the savings on the tax payers. Again, is that priority? That is/should be up for debate and NOT what Chipimo said. Tell me that you don’t see logic in this?
Chipimo you really still attending ichipimo in politics- no direction. Your understanding of issues is scaring, when did former become the sitting in? Morally and ethically it is also wrong, why jump the que? Sata is not a desitute, if he loved the poor he would have donated his retiement benefits to the Muchinga Foundation for development projects.
This is what Chapter 15: Former Presidents benefit says: (Cap 15; Benefits of former president: 4A. (1) In addition to the benefits set out in section four, there shall be-
(a) assigned to a former President within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice;
(b) provided to former President immediately upon ceasing to hold office housing accommodation as the government considers fit before the house referred to in paragraph (a) is assigned to the former President(end).
So we should start building a house for Kapimo as well since he will be a president in future, and there is ‘nothing illegal’ about that, te?
foolish contribution
Dear Beleg, good point.
Does this chap still think he can one day become president?
Mr Chipimo, don’t mislead your followers. We know you are capable of analysing issues accurately but on this one you missed the point. What’s the point of advancing an “illegality” hiding behind technicalities? What Sata wants to do here is similar to what his nephew, the Kitwe mayor, wants to do in Kitwe. They both want to award themselves benefits they don’t deserve, at the expense of tax payers. They are doing it legally, by your(Chipimo) standards! Are you going to behave this way if voted in power sir?
It is sad how learned people on this blog including Chipimo himself can make fools of themselves while trying to save face for the wrong policies of their President. This whole project is wrong and Minister of Finance should not have included it in the budget in the first place, why do people throw away their morals for a job – shame.
Building the house five or ten years from now will cost a lot of money if you factor in inflation. The better to commence building it now. I live in Botswana. Festus Mogae’s house cost 20 million Pula or P14 billion Kwacha. It was built in the last year of his presidency. Had it been built in the first or second year of his presidency, it would have cost only a fraction of that sum. Let us not hurl insults at Chipimo simply because we differ in our interpretation of the law. In any case, the house will revert to the state once Sata and his spouse both pass on or am I wrong on that one? For that’s the setup in Botswana.
Actually, Chipimo’s good (smart) lawyer, husband, father and an opposition spokesman of some sort. He is highly articulate and has a grasp on the issues at hand that appeal to most people especially the middle aged and younger citizens.
But He needs to show more stamina on the political front. Something about his persona just doesn’t = President. If he has any chance at all at being the next president, I think he needs to rearrange his “game plan” if he even has one. But then again, who knows what the future will bring. Chipimo 2016????? Hmmm in dorikas’ voice, can’t never!
@62 I agree Chipimo may appeal to the middle age and younger demographics but in the Upper and middle classes. I think he is out of touch with the poor masses. Just my personal opinion.
If that is the kind of thinking Chipimo has and some bloggers support him, then GRZ should start building the house for HH (next president). Otherwise, as far as am concerned, we are told HE Mr Sata is not a one term president and will still contest and win in 2016. If this were to be true, then the president still has 9 more years. So why the panic to rush and build his house now Mr Chipimo? So that we lose more billions in rehabilitating the same house by the time it will be handed over? In any case, since when did the term ‘ former’ become the same as ‘ current’ ? Since when did constructing houses for current presidents become a priority than paying retirees their dues?
Dear Ngo, good points.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH CHIPIMO. IN FACT HOUSE FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS MUST BE BUILT LONG BEFORE THEY BECOME FORMER SO THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A TRANSIT POINT WHICH IS NORMALLY TOO EXPENSIVE. THE ISSUE MUST TRULY BE PRIORITY AND NOT WHEN THE HOUSE IS BUILT. IN FACT ZAMBIA IN GENERAL NEEDS MORE HOUSES. A HOUSE BUILT NOW WOULDN’T BE THE SAME COST BUILT TOMORROW. WAMANO MWAICE. THE OTHERS JUST BARK WITHOUT POINTS.
Chipimo is a very dull lawyer. He supports sata blindly reasons best known to himself. From which budget are we going to get the money to build the house when we don’t have drugs in hospitals, poverty levels are high, unemployment worse. The house can wait. Why the rush when we haven’t even completed building Chiluba and mwanawasa’s houses. He should calm his a.s.s. and address poverty in the nation.
Chipimo is definitely using the legal loophole – not the financial or even timing one. Let us suppose this house is ready and Sata gets his 2nd term. Will it not need to be maintained? How much will maintaining that property cost the taxpayer per year while it awaits the occupant? Or is it going to become a tourist attraction (first house built for retiring president while in office…). Just a pointer to some things. SOMETIMES YOU CAN BE LEGALLY RIGHT BUT ETHICALLY WANTING…
The only people who are supporting Chipimo are PF cadres because Narep is a branch of PF.
WHAT IS NAREP? COMMITTEE WITHIN PF OR WHAT? WHO IS CHIPIMO? IS IT THIA GUY WITH GLASSES? IF SO LET WOULD BE AUTHORITIES TEST HIS MENTAL WELL BEING. AT TIMES WHEN VIRAL LOADS ARE TOO MUCH PATIENTS START HALLUCINATING
BUT THIS CHIPIMO GUY HAS BRAINS. HE IS A GENIUS. GOOD ANDASTANDIN AND ANALYSIS OF ISSUES. UR MY NEXT PRESIDENT.
bafikala you will cry blood if you are not careful,mind you Sata is governing take it whether you want or not.if Sata was empeached today that wont be his house but can be given to another one,you are the same lozis or tongas whatever you are who are busy tearing the draft constitution at the same time crying foul,the law left by chiluba is too porous that it cant hold water.lets amend our constitution guys,tearing wont help us.
You people, former means what? Really pf is full of dunderheads. Why support a useless argument. Power has gone to dogs.
one surprising thing is that this fool chipimo is always criticisng what HH is saying. No wonder he had to accompay sata on tax payers money to brazil. he is poverty stricken.what priority is he telling us over sata buying a house if he arsh can be loaded on the same plane on tax payers money to brazil. useless ***** chipimo.
The nice thing thing about Elias Chipimo is that he rarely politicizes issues. He just intellectually analyzes issues; even if it is against his own political interest, he will accept the idea if it makes sense. He doesn’t oppose just for the sake of opposing.He is such a rare breath of fresh air in the thicket of African politics, He is the wave of the future of African politics. Elias, I belong to another political party, but if if you continue with this positive intellectual spirit you may may just sway me to your side young man! Keep it up!
I am sure you belong to PF, so NAREP and PF no difference as NAREP is a branch of PF, just go and strengthen your empire.
Chipimo has the disadvantage of having to fight his own natural instincts because of his ethnic background.
Here, we can all see the illegality of building a house for a ‘former’ president who is still in office but for Chipimo thats when his ‘ethnic’ brain center kicks in and it pushes him to support plunder wherever he sees it.
Had the subject been different, something other than things to do with looting or theft, I am pretty sure a person of Chipimo’s intelligence would make a rational judgement call. But, forget it when the subject is ‘stealing’, he will always stumble in that area…..he is devoid of the capacity to see anything wrong with looting.
Chipimo is as useless as he was at corpus. Ask mwelwa about who brought business at the firm? This chap was riding on his fathers shadow. Favour not merit paved the road for this Chipuba
Mushota, you’re indeed an ill-bred brat who cannot even write proper English!
President Sata is not former yet. He should first building houses for Levy’s, FTJ’s families (MSRIP) and RB who I believe govt should be renting houses for. For Mr Sata to jump the queue using his current position as a sitting President is gross immoral on his part though the law does not stop him to do so. What Mr Chipimo said is correct, but for Mr Sata to even think in this manner scares me greatly because we have other qualified men and their families (Levy, FTJ & RB) without houses. Does our President really think about others first, especially the poor?
The law states that a house shall be bought or built for a former head of state by at least two years after they have left office. The law does not say the house should be constructed earlier for a sitting head of state due to reasons of envisaged costs in the future. We are talking law, not economics. What if building a house in Zambia will be cheaper in 5 years time than now? Why are people assuming it will be more expensive? Secondly, why begin spending money on a sitting President, when he is not even legally entitled to it, when you haven’t dealt with the same issue as regards two former heads of state? Common sense points to the fact that the current action has more to do with mere greed, selfishness, arrogance and lack of vision for more needy socio-economic ventures.
Dear Harold, Good points, especially that on top of that barely six months ago this same president increased his own salary by 100%.
Nothing illegal for sure in constructing Sata’s retirement house.Its the best time to start now.
“Mr. Chipimo said the decision to commence the constructing of Mr. Sata’s retirement home only raises the question of priorities”. Lets push this thought process further…
Why not build each and every President’s future final resting place at Embassy square as well. We already have Levy and Fredrick, next we should have KK’s just before or next to FTJ and RB next to Levy and MCS’s after RB’s moseleum. Its cheaper than building when they are finally passed on besides they will be able to see how beutifully they will lay for ever at tax payers expense.By the way what does the law say about the wives should they wish to be put to rest next to their spouses?
Chipimo for President, he is such a sober character and certainly very intelligent
Chipimo has no stand and does not know what he is talking about, the law he refers to says “former president”, so he has misundertood the law once again. Soon he will u-turn just like on the RDA issue. Chipimo wants to compete with HH and he finds himself following behind later. He is a dull lawyer too. Which case has he ever defended? The same with WYNTER NEVER WON A CASE IN COURT B4.
Cap 15; Benefits of former president: 4A. (1) In addition to the benefits set out in section four, there shall be-
(a) assigned to a former President within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice;
(b) provided to former President immediately upon ceasing to hold office housing accommodation as the government considers fit before the house referred to in paragraph (a) is assigned to the former President(end). Snr Counsel Chpimo, building a retirement house for a sitting president is not in the spirit of the legislation. Can other senior counsels come in; I really ge amazed that lawyers sit ndwii when another is misleading the nation.
His friend Nawakwi Edith has got a job. Congratulations…Nawakwi on your appointment. So, next is Chipimo to be appointed. Please, ba Sata appoint this young man as DC in Chinsali to spare us from his lack of focus on political and important issues. Zikomo
What if building a house in Zambia will be cheaper in 5 years time than now? Why are people assuming it will be more expensive? Secondly, why begin spending money on a sitting President, when he is not even legally entitled to it, when you haven’t dealt with the same issue as regards two former heads of state? Common sense points to the fact that the current action has more to do with mere greed, selfishness, arrogance and lack of vision for more needy socio-economic ventures.
I LOVE ZAMBIA………
There is a very big difference between Nawakwi and Chipimo. I would be very surprised if Chipimo accepted a government job from PF. On the other hand, we all know Nawakwi very well. I need not say more! HH is given to stretching the truth a bit. He is a third rate politician whose only mission at the moment is to bring down an elected government. He clearly has no competent lawyers to advise him. Chipimo is a Rhodes (Oxford) scholar in law. He knows what he is talking about. Instead of raising a constitutional point, HH should have questioned PF’s decision to spend that sort of money on a house now when there are so many competing priorities.
#95 You need to get your facts right. The law says the house shall be provided within two years – NOT after two years. As far as I am aware the reason why Kafupi did not get the house was because he wanted it built on a piece of disputed land. There is a doubt as to whether Banda qualifies. He tried to change the law to suit him but he was rambled. Mwanawasa died in office. In any case, I believe the house remains the property of GRZ and is to be surrendered when both the ex-president and his wife die.
Chipimo is off-tangent here. What if MCS is impeached or dies before his term is up or if Kaunda pegs it before MCS’s term? (meaning there will be an ex presido’s house which HMCS could move into). Zambia should take a leaf from Joyce Banda next door in Malawi who is carrying on in a manner befitting the head of state of an impoverished African Country). There is a reason why the framers of this constitutional entitlement expressly use EX PRESIDENT. Do not malign HH unnecesarily. He has made a point here
Naimwe, the house is for GRZ and not Sata’s ala.
Chipimo is a wise man, he always talks sense. Really it is not illegal building the president house but it is a matter of priority.
Further more, I think we should stop this nonsense of building houses for the former presidents. Let them built theirs just as we do.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
1 Houses should be constructed for former presidents, not sitting president;
2 Sata is selfish. Why not construct first for the former presidents? Priority should have been given to the first ones. Once done, no one will condemn you when you start yours.
3 May be Sata is showing us that the late presidents are not a priority because they will never stay in the houses;
4 Chipimo,just get the job that Sata has prepared for you. I can see that you can be very useful to him.
priorites indeed, apart from the house being cheaper built now than ten yes later, may be it will be built slowly and finish after 8yrs when pres sata is out of plot 1.Mr presido please espedite the construction of your friends houses also, And try to stick to plans that dont rise unnesessary noise we are still hopefull in your leadership dont sock up at every turn please…
Mwanawasa and Chiluba already have houses built for them at the Embassy Park cemetery. What more would they need. The law doesn’t say build houses for the LATE presidents!
Lets move on and abuild a house for Banda, the only one left [although he has personal houses in Lusaka and Chipata]
THIS GUY FOR MOST OF YOU WHO DON’T KNOW HIM WANTS THE PRESIDENCY JUST AS BAD AS SATA WANTED IT..IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MASSES FOR MOST OF THESE CHAPS BUT FOR THEIR OWN ACHIEVEMENTS. DID ANYONE EVER HEAR OF CHIPIMO DOING ANYTHING FOR THE POOR OR RATHER FOREGOING HIS CHAIRMANSHIPS TO HELP THE POOR OR RATHER TO ADVANCE HIS CHANCES OF BEING PRESIDENT??OBAMA IN AMERICA GAVE UP GOOD PAYING JOBS JUST TO HELP THE INNER CITIES OF CHICAGO EVEN IF IT WAS FOR A GREATER GOOD..LET US PUT ZAMBIANS FRIST REGARDLESS OF TRIBE AND GENDER..WE NEED TO BUILD THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
MR CHIPIMO,I CAN SEE WITH YOUR CANDIDACY IT’S POLITICS AS USUAL!!! WHAT CHANGE ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE COUNTRY IF YOU CAN JUSTIFY A SITTING PRESIDENT BUILDING HIS RETIREMENT HOME BEFORE OTHER FORMER PRESIDENTS??SHOULD THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ACCEPT SUCH LAWS TO REWARD FAILURES..WHAT HAVE THESE PRESENTS DONE FOR ZAMBIA AND THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE REALLY??MR CHIPIMO BARE IN MIND THAT MOST OF US (ZAMBIANS)ALSO HOLD DEGREES FROM FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES AND CAN REASON, NOT TO SAY THAT UNZA GRADUATES ARE ANY LESS EQUIPPED TO DO THE SAME..
WE ARE BUILDING A COUNTRY OF IRRATIONAL CITIZENS WHO’S BELIEFS (TRIBAL AND GENDER)ARE CLOUDING AND RETARDING DEVELOPMENT. JUST LOOK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON HERE!!!!!SOME SAY THE HAVE PHD QUALIFICATIONS,BUT DOES THAT IMPLY YOU KNOW MORE THAN EVERYONE ELSE..YOU CAN HAVE A PHD IN ANYTHING REALLY,EVEN DANCE.LOL. ZAMBIANS LETS UNITE AND BUILD THIS COUNTRY BEFORE WE END UP LIKE CONGO..
suppose chipimo is right, why then not start building houses for former presidents who are either themselves or their relatives renting other homes?