The Daily Nation has learnt that DPP Mutembo Nchito and SG Musa Mwenye were each earning K343 million a year while a High Court Judge earns K218 million a difference of K135 million while the AG Malila was earning K353 million.
This is compared to the Judiciary where the Chief Justice earns K272 million a year Deputy Chief Justice K267 million, Supreme Court Judges K226 million and High Court Judges K218 million.
Judicial sources told the Daily Nation that judges have questioned the huge salaries given to President Sata’s ‘crack squad’ that he appointed at the start of his term of office comprising Attorney General Mumba Malila, Solicitor General Musa Mwenye and Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito.
The awards, they said were not only immoral but illegal since there was no approval by Parliament.
They said it was shocking that President Michael Sata had awarded the said officers huge salaries leading to a situation where the said officers now earn more than High Court judges and the Chief Justice, who as per procedure should be the highest earning Judicial officers.
They have since demanded for an explanation on how the said officers’ salaries were excessively increased without Parliament’s approval.
The sources said this was pure constitutional anarchy exhibited by the Executive to reward the ‘crack squad’ to quote President Sata’s own words, but warned that this was bound to backfire in the very near future as this was a negotiated bribe.
“All salaries and allowances from the President to all constitution office bearers must be approved by Parliament without exception. This is for purposes of transparency and accountability and seniority of rank.
“The judges feel these special salaries for the ‘crack squad’ must be tabled in parliament to have a national character and approval. Because of these strange and special salaries, you can see and understand why these gentlemen are always acting very strangely in their execution of their official duties,” said the sources.
And civil rights activist Brebner Changala said this was unfair as judges were more qualified and held more serious responsibilities than other state legal officers and should therefore be remunerated better.
“These people are junior to the judges on the bench and when did Parliament sit to agree that judges would get lower salaries than the ‘crack squad’. I demand that government explains this anomaly and can they tell us if this was deliberately done to entice a favoured group of citizens to work for Patriotic Front.
“This also confirms why the judiciary is in disarray and being threatened by massive arrogance from the Executive. Why should a small group of people take up salaries for the entire Judiciary and why were the salaries increased through a statutory instrument instead of a motion in parliament,” he said.
Changala questioned the role of Parliament in constitutional emoluments.
‘Is this the much talked about judicial reforms done at State House? Who negotiated these uncharitable salaries and allowance? Is this not corruption that the PF and President Sata have been talking against for a long time now? Can the government give a comprehensive and clear statement on these seemingly dubious salary increments?’
According to the Statutory Instrument No 59 of 2012 obtained by the Daily Nation and signed by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, the salaries for the Secretary to Cabinet, Attorney General, Solicitor General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Auditor General and Investigator General were higher than that of the Chief Justice and other judges by a K100 million.
But judicial sources said historically, all government employees except the Secretary to Cabinet earned less than High Court judges and that was the reason why most of the people that had served in these offices aspired to be judges because of the accrued benefits.
Daily Nation
No wonder these chaps are always rushing to appeal cases that disadvantage PF. What losers!
PF haters, please don’t commit suicide. We are here until 2041
Hefty positions call for hefty salaries, that is the upside of being educated!
Are these figures rebursed or non-rebursed currency.to me K353million is too much if it’s KR.
That’s exactly my question
Imwe, the SIT is for 2012 when kwacha had not been debased.
K353m per year means k29m per month old currency
Is it K’000 million or K’000 thousand ?? Or are you using old currency ba Lusaka times or new currency ??
We told you that Sata is more corrupt than RB…… Sata is the father of corruption. corruption is Sata’s middle name… more is yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who, what and which organisation determines how much salaries Zambians ( managers, doctors, lawyers, teachers nurses, soldiers, ministers, labourers ets) get at the end of the day? Read carefully there are three Ws in my sentence…..
These are Constitutional Office holders and only Parliament can approve their salaries. If this wasn’t done then they are getting the salaries illegally. They are criminals abusing their public offices!
Even Thandiwe Banda, former first lady was getting salary illegally. Not sure if that money has been recovered.
Please clarify it if is rebused Kwacha or not. If it is in old currency then it is quite normal. They should even be given more!!
there are TCs from impoverished councils in this country with a back log of un paid retirement benefits who are getting even more than that.
Its the old currency.Can’t you think?
But that what the deserve.
I believe they are probably getting much less than they deserve. The downside with this analysis is that is it does not compare like for like. Why not compare thier earnings with what their senior colleagues in private practice are making?
But that’s what they deserve.
How do you measure and arrive at wat one ‘deserves’? This behavior of teaming up to steal national moneys , even when they know it is wrong , is criminal.Now the criminal law enforcers!!! These chaps may end up in prison . Mutembo enshi fi??
I will also become a shameless tribalist if all it takes is being tonga or non bemba. The Man HH has invested wisely and all you haters can go to hell if that is the only option left for you. Why demonise a person who has never wronged you in any way? Now I understand why Shakafuswa answered someone in Lenje when a caller spoke to him in Bemba on Radio. This nonsense of Tribe should end. Isn’t it God who created all those Tribes and in his Opinion it was good? Why should a mere mortal like you bring his name into shame because of your pride? Critise HH for other things but not tribe. The Man is far above that nonsense from a beggar like you!
Mamen
Comment on the subject at hand and not on other bloggers usernames. For a moment I thought you are bonkers because I didn’t see any comment on your HH then to my relief I realised you’re protesting about another blogger’s name.
Just take a peep at any ZWD thread and see the sort of names that are there.
I think we are missing the point of this Article which is that the AG cannot earn more than the CJ because by our constitutional structures the CJ ranks higher in authority as head of one of the arms of the government (The Judiciary).
And secondly failure to follow laid down procedure in the awarding of the salaries because speaking realistically the monies earned are way lower than what practitioners working for private organisations are earning.
Does not seem much, to be called huge salaries. Let’s not get emotional, LT is this basic or total? Remember there is taxes in Zambia, if 343,000/12 is just about 28,500 a month, an equivalent of about USD $5,500 for those positions? Might not be enough. Maybe question the legal part; otherwise, those guys are underpaid. Because I am sure even your national coach gets more than $10,000 Per Month.
Parliament never approved these salaries. Its unlawful expenditure. When are you going to start respecting your own laws and institutions?
@ Lord Mwenda Njangula: That’s what I said, to question the Legal Part of it otherwise, the numbers are not big for those Positions as portrayed.
With the same myopic reasoning of yours, then everyone in the GRZ is underpaid. Teachers’ average salary is $600/month and they do not have a free GRZ vehicle with free 800 liters of fuel, free housing and servants, free airtime and a lot of other perks which these constitutional officers are entitled to.
@OBATALA: I think you misunderstood my statement. Yes of course Teachers are underpaid. Do you think $5000 is a realistic value for those positions?? Don’t look at Individuals hold the positions now but THE ROLE OF THAT POSITION. I am not supporting them but they cannot claim those numbers to be a huge salary. You pay peanuts you encourage corruption.
That’s per month my friend, not an annual salary… I work in the judiciary, trust me.
@ Prince, you seem to miss the point. Are constitutional office bearers the only one entitled to a good salary? What about doctors,nurses, other civil servants, etc. $5000/month for someone whose accommodation, utilities, security, transport, school fees, telephone bills, allowances from sitting on several boards and travel is more than enough. These guys easily treble their salaries form other sources all financed by tax payers’ money. I rest my case
well understood
MASHOLI ! Monkeys in the Maize field! Parasites living on taxpayers’ money. This lot should all be locked up for abuse of office. This is unlawful expenditure. Its criminal!
I agree with @THE PRINCE. That’s no money to talk about if its before taxation.
that is not much people
MuMmembe’s machinations. Knowing pretty well the CJ is equally not qualified to hold that position, I however do not expect Mutembo Nchito, Mumba Malila and Musa Mwenye to have more perks then the CJ.
Disapointed with Pres Sata for being such a coward and allowed MuMmembe to mess with our system. Fire Wynter Kabimba now.
Mushota where are you? we want to hear you nosense…
you billionaire guys saying that k28,000 per month is nothing. are you from zambia?
have you seen how much the chief justice is getting compared to these guys [about k20,000]. for your information there are civil servants who earn k700 per month [ irrespective of the position on the hierarchy, the gap is too much] and thats a great insult to tell them that 28,000 is peanuts. i hope you pay your maids above k4000.
Its not your fault or anyones fault for you to get K700/per month.
Look at your CV before you comment.These guys invested for their future.
When they hire them they negotiate a package worth their level but civil servant salaries are determined by market forces or economy. SORRY FOR YOU.
@neutral observer: Compare Apples with Apples not Ifibimbi?? If you think the amounts mentioned are huge?? Then explains why we have corruption in our country. You are happy to pay a foreign Soccer Coach Over $10,000. But a Zambian Head of an institution (Attorney general or SG less than $5,000 and calling it Huge? Get serious. YOU ARE PEOPLE THAT THINK ZAMBIANS DON’T DESERVE BETTER PAY.
@BORO YEN: well summarized. How do they compare a cleaner / general worker to an AG, or SG??
This should be basic pay without any allowances…the allowances often exceed the basic pay by several factors besides the other conditions.
I think people in the diaspora should not belittle the salaries.People in Zambia are struggling and thats a lot of money to many people.I do however believe people should earn what they deserve.Question is are these people doing a job that deserves that remuneration? In my opinion they seem to be wrecking the Zambian democracy and not doing future Zambian generations a favor. A leader thinks of the next generation a politician thinks of the next election or rather next meal ticket.
u unlearned the many issue is the legality and the differences in salaries as cmpared to the CJ and high court .And obove all he SATAN was on top of the hill condemining wat RB was doing but alas he SATAN is doing exactly the opposite and waste than RB wake up ma ZAMBIAN
LT have picked a smoke instead of fire.
If AG gets KR353,000 per annum that far much too pathetic for his position because that translates to KR29,000/per month.which is a mockery even talking about it.
Dont compare yourselves to the proffesionals who help to bring peace in the country.LT bloggers don’t embarase yourselves.How much do you think CEOs in govt parastals get?
In president Sata there is hope that well meaning Zambians are able to see.Hang if you are not confortable with his leadership skills.Good afternoon.
lack of exposure,all this….am afraid
I agree with the view of questioning the legal aspect and not the figures, otherwise this is nothing compared to what a senior manager in the mining industry gets every month minus bonus.
Bloggers shut up and think about KR29000 its nothing for those highly ranked govt officials,i actually earn more money than them and i find it too little!!
The issue is not the amount paid, but how this government arrived at such a decision without considering the established process.This government has been breaking laws left,right and centre.The PF does not respect the power that we have entrusted to them.What is the process of impeaching the president?
Now we are talking!!! YES let us question the legal part not the amounts. Even Foreign Experts working in Zambia get way beyond those amounts. Those are peanuts. For solicitor general or attorney general?? just the titles itself, need another $7,500 PM net as top up. “Mushota” tell them??
the prince,
good work ma prince, you have really neutralized an otherwise potentially explosive debate.
at least bloggers are now debating with sober minds.
this is as it should be.
thanks ma prince.
So HEAVY LEARNER EARNS more than these guys
Rebase or not rebased..no diference for the money value still remain the same
I get far much more than these guys, and I am just a small guy in my company.
@ Prince you sound intelligent but you are not. My dear Football coaches and players earn illogical and immoral salaries all over the World. tell me which Chief Justice earns more than a footballer or a football coach? The issue at hand is whether those Salaries are in line with the Zambian Standards in the Judiciary. Who awarded the increment without the approval of Parliament regardless of the figures involved? We cant make laws and just ignore them. That is anarchy. If you want offer these guys K 100,000. per month but Parliament should approve. Figures are not the issue but rather the illegality in the awarding of these salaries is the issue. If they were earning more in private practice, why did they agree to take up low paying jobs. This is smelly!
@mamen,
thats exactly what the prince is stating here. go through his postings again and you will notice that you are actually saying the same thing abet in two different ways.
otherwise good observation.
What is the problem? People should accept that those that have the necessary skills and needed essentially have a blank sheet on which they can dictate what they can command. If one feels that their skills are not appreciated , they have reached a decision node at which various possible routes can be taken depending on the pros and cons of each of those roots. The idea that a person like Malila and Mutembo should feel sorry for someone getting a lot less does not arise as far as I can see-they have the skills demanded at the time of engagement and they have accepted the merits and demerits of the job presented and they have given what they want for them to adequately do the job. In such cases people should strive to improve themselves to be invaluable and not cry! Otherwise depression!
We should analyze before we post comments. Some of us got incensed with the huge figures forgetting that these are annual salaries. Be smart or you will be exposing your illiteracy all the time.
VIVA MUNALI!
they are used kubosabosa is the order of the day. they don’t want to think before they talk
Too little money for me honestly. I cannot even afford private school fees for my three kids!
Perspective required. Public service must not be a money making venture. Those in the private sector earn more because they lead profit earning organisations
USA President Annual Salary $400,000.00
US Chief Justice $223,500
Average Annual Salary CEOs of top 500 US Corporations $10,500,000.00
You are right. Public servants are not money making machines, so you can’t compare with the private sector. You bloggers who are boasting about making more money than these guys are not even considering the cost of living in those countries you are living in. $5000 may not be enough money in your country because, like here in australia your rent alone may cost you $3000 p/month for a 3/2 bedroom apartment excluding (gas, electricity, food, transport and other bills). Buying a 2 bedroom house in Australia ranges from $350,000 to $800,000; you will buy the same house in Zambia at $100,000. So stop yap yapping before you put your economics into consideration ! None of you may even be having a home of their own, even after getting that much, you still on mortgages or renting.
Is that per annum or monthly, getting muddled up here a bit.
This is the most ruthless and corrupt government in the history of Zambia . How can you starve the people that put you into power and pocket everything for yourself? greedy, greedy!!! Remember the law of gravity? Your days are numbered you brood vipers!
Firstly, this is public money, money both you the tax payer and I work so hard for and is deducted from our salaries.
Secondly, there is a difference between being a civil servant and working in the private sector. CEOs, MDs get remunerated for driving the share price up and making a profit for a company. What are these guys being remunerated for? What has Ukwa done? OOOHHH, don’t get me started!
Thirdly, is this rebased or old money? If old money, then K353,000,000/year equates to USD 5,657/month. OK.
If KR, then this works out to be USD 5, 657,051/month (K29 million/month). NOT POSSIBLE!
So my own conclusion is that it is KR29,000/month. However, bottom line is that these are civil servants, including all thugs in the PF government.
Come on guys,what is so hefty about these salaries? Thats less than a registered nurse makes a year in the US.
Zamcab, are you saying a registered nurse in the US makes more than USD 5,600/month? If so, I am leaving my job and coming stateside. But you’ve got to realise that you cannot compare the Zambian economy to US superior economy. By Zambian standard and in the civil service, this is a lot of money.
They know they will be no govt saiary for them after 2016. This means their income will have to by defending criminals again.
It is time for Poor Finishers to steal before 2016. We shall cage them the Egyptian way after 2016 without bail.
PER WEEK I GET MORE THAN 4000 $, BUT COST OF LIVING IS HIRE. JUST A BOTTLE OF BEER 7$ HOUSE RENTALS 305/WEEK. SO DO NOT COMPARE ZAMBIA TO WHOEVER. 29000 IS BIG MONEY IN ZAMBIA
if i were a judge would let the said officers get k343,000 per month and not per year so that i ask for an equivalent than complain about salaries these guys are getting.whats the problem with zambians, instead of addresing their salary isu, they are addresing individuals who are just getting a partry k29,000 per month which is talktime money per month for indeni MD
What more money do judges like flatulence chisanga, bamuna muningene mulenga need? Infact high court judges perks should be reduced by 50%, they are shallow judges world over.
I advise grz to pay local court justices, magistrates and supreme more than high courts shallow judges.
LT when i posted my first comment it was at number 11, how come its at number 68. Why do you always push my comments to the bottom.
Pliz buy new software current one is outdated it fails to attach replies to relevant comment.