If PF campaigned on “More money in your pockets ”in 2011, today,it wants “more money in politicians pockets!” Politicians are among the best paid in than nation and any attempt to increase their salaries at the time that our hospitals have no drugs is an insult to the electorate. As a minister of religion, I feel that to continue rewarding politicians at the detriment of national development is immoral.
I am not against the PF government but opposed to allowing them steal from the masses. Most discussions are being focused on the over 100% increment for the President but that is missing the point. All Members of Parliament have taken advantage of legal means to steal from the public. They law makers pass laws that make it possible to abuse public resources legally.[pullquote]One wonders why we should spend millions of dollars on a person whose food, housing,transport and other basic needs were met by taxpayers for years and who has continued to receive a very high salary for life[/pullquote]
We need to realize that since the advent of war on corruption, our politicians know too well that they are likely to be arrested for abusing public funds. Rather than risking arrests,abusing public resources through “legal” means remains the only available avenue. Since this stealing is perfectly legal, politicians cannot be put behind bars when they leave their offices.
Let me illustrate my point.
When the London judge Mr Justice Peter Smith found him guilty of misappropriating public resources on May 4,2007, Chiluba defended his actions by pointing to his entitlements.Chiluba argued that his wealth came from his income and allowances.Pointing to the fact all his living and other expenses were borne by the state, Chiluba argued that if junior civil servants have bought houses and paid their children’s school fees in foreign colleges and universities from allowances, how about him who was president for 10 years? Of course, Judge Smith’s handling of the case and the rationale behind his ruling was questionable, but that does not mean Chiluba did not misappropriate public funds.
The fact that the Zambian magistrate John Chinyama acquitted Chiluba on all counts of corruption in 2010 demands explanation. Many Zambians were quick to put the blame on President Rupiya Banda’s influence over the judiciary, but that is somehow missing the point. Chiluba could have used the legal system to defraud the nation of millions of dollars. The Entitlement’s Acts of Zambia could have made it possible for Chiluba to accumulate millions of dollars in 10 years.[pullquote]Zambians should question the morality behind building former presidents houses; legislators receiving tax free “sitting allowances” and salaries while those who earn peanuts have no houses built for them, given allowances and are highly taxed[/pullquote]
According to the Presidential Emoluments Act of 2009, the President is entitled to “a salary and allowances at such rate as the Minister responsible for finance may prescribe.” The Benefits of Former Presidents Act Cap.15, states that former presidents are entitled to “a tax free monthly pension at the rate of eighty per cent of the incumbent President’s emoluments, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State; three drivers, three motor vehicles with free maintenance and entitlement to fuel.
The immorality of such entitlement is clear. In 2009 for example,President Kaunda’s house cost Zambian taxpayers over $2 million.Zambians must build houses for all former presidents, even when they have villas in the most expensive areas of Lusaka. One wonders why we should spend millions of dollars on a person whose food, housing,transport and other basic needs were met by taxpayers for years and who has continued to receive a very high salary for life. Where did he put his salary and unlimited allowances he received while in office?
It is criminal at its best that in the nation where the majority of Zambians live on less than 1 dollar a day, the State provides millions to one individual. The fact that politicians are enriching themselves at the expense of masses is deplorable. Friends, it is not what politicians are entitled to but what is fair for all.
The current entitlements which politicians enjoy are not simply morally wrong but discourteous to the electorate who put them in power.
Zambians should question the morality behind building former presidents houses; legislators receiving tax free “sitting allowances” and salaries while those who earn peanuts have no houses built for them, given allowances and are highly taxed.
Unless this form of robbery is confronted and done away with, Zambian politicians will continue to sing “anti-corruption” hymns and choruses in order to get international aid while stealing from masses through immoral entitlements. It is time the nation put a stop to this form of robbery. Mr. President, we don’t want more money in your pockets but in our pockets!
By Rev.Kaoma
This is very sensible but knowing CNP he is smiling and calling Rev Kaoma simply a joker. Hope Zambians have learnt a big lesson never to elect finished, uneducated, aged and Bemba in future.
from the priest to the poor ,
they’re all greed for money !
THAT IS WHAT THE BIBLE BA
REVEREND SAYS !
dont lie to us !
we’ve come to understand
this !
so ! even you ! you’re just pursueing that !
To hell with your hypocrisy !
As citizens,we’ll do our thing !
After all OUR HOPE IS NOT IN
MAN!
POLITICIANS ARE ONE AND THE SAME!
Looks like ordinary Zambians are condemned to poverty for life. Our people die of preventable diseases, lack jobs, decent housing, water & sanitation. Proper education is nonexistent. Energy is extremely rationed.
As if the above do not represent out of hand carnage, people are needlessly slaughtered everyday on the poorly maintained roads as they struggle to make ends meet.
The last 20 yrs have been the worst in the history of our country
This turmoil has to end forthwith..
my dear waste your time less with nobles ‘n’ seek GOD there is nothing that will change about this system..Its unfair..:(
CNP…Zambia will never change with such kind of politicians..we need a paradigm shift of leaders..PF-Paya Farmer ..never..
I equally do not understand the rationale behind affording the very same people who pass laws that invoke taxes on the masses of the people a tax free life!
CNP and his corhots will never get sense in any story like the eno above.especially that they come from a broom handling background
well put
So whats the way forward bbwana Reverend? We do it a Syrian way? No!!! Wats the solution then? We just have to pray for the soon coming of King Jesus the ruler of all and HE rules with justice. While on earth, injustices will never end and oppression of the poor will be the order of the day coz the Bible says so!!! Pray for thez leaders to hav flesh hearts for the nation and the poor. Lets talk to them in a good way with luv and chrstian way. We should pray hard wen electing leaders coz thats what will change the governance system. It all about GOD GOD friends coz the devil is at hand to lead our leaders astray!!!!!!!!
we want decent salaries us civil servants. why have you removed recruitment and retention allowance for graduates and what have you done in less than a year of your being in power to deserve zali percent salary increment. is it true that people enter politics to enrich themselves, it is quite evident here there is no service delivered but someone awards themselves ‘mo mane’.
In the good olden days, this letter would have been published by The Post Newspapers. Alas, the Post Fred Mmembe is now busy wining and dining with CNP!
I pray for the day when selfish politicians shall be moving around with the minimum of 6 bodyguards each for fear of being shot in the head.These guys are not in politics to serve the masses, but to enrich themselves.57% salary increment is too much, plus hidden allowances.Something should be done to put this kind of behavior to an end.
We now need more than just divine intervention otherwise we are doomed as a nation. CNP and his disciples can never understand this. They never did any comprehension at school so such stories much as they make sense to most of us they are just noise to CNP and his cohorts. I rest my case!
It’s shameful at all to build a house for former president like Banda, Chiluba, Mwanawasa yet they are entitled to gratuite with hefty allowances.Parliament stop exploiting us, you are legalising corruption and explotation of the poor.Shame on you stupid Mps,time to wake up.
Careful you will be deported to Kaoma
Dull reverend!!!!!!!!
“Forget about the poor for they shall always be there”…God helps those who help themselves!
The Irony is; the police officer occupying the house in the picture would happily deport Rev Kaoma from zambia on instruction from politicians.
Rev. Kaoma, this is a good start. We need to talk about these things and pay attention to the acts being passed by these politicians. Most of us are ignorant of what is going on in parliament. They are all in it together! They are defintely stealing from us, right under our noses.
… hmm. This is a great opportunity to put these recommendations in the draft constitution!!
Presidential and Ministerial emoluments are in the draft and we are free to make recommendations and submit them to the Review Committee. With enough publicity, and people supporting this, we can make sure that our children and grandchildren are no longer hoodwinked by government.
Talk is cheap!
Take Action!
Read the draft constitution!
Submit your comments!
As a Newbie, I am constantly searching online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you’s a Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog post.
WHY NOT INCREASE THE SALARY, THIS IS THE ONLY INVESTMENT SATA HAS OTHERWISE HE RISKS DYING WITH ONLY 7 GUNS. THIS IS WHY I HAVE BEGIN LOVING HH, THE MAN IS A HARD WORKER & VERY CORPORATE. JUST IMAGINE IF HH IS ALLOWED TO LEAD ZAMBIA & HIS PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES WERE TO BE PUMPED INTO THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY, ZAMBIA WILL MOVE FAR MUCH STEPS AHEAD. IT IS SAD IN ZAMBIA WE HAVE UNLEARNED SELFISH LEARDERS.
listen to the gay followers of HH ejaculating their fantasies
Tanzania is contemplating war on malawi because of lake ownership wrangleson lake malawi, so why don’t we also clear the BRE issue , we take commandoes their with defence minister GBM in front ehhh…it can be good. Enrich urselves dont complain about government everyday
When are they going to refurbish those debating chambers with $3000 dollar seats like their brethren in kenya? Of course they need to be comfortable sleeping in parliament while legally robbing you the taxpayer.
A very interesting article if debated seriously. Doesn’t make sense to build houses for past presidents when they actually volunteer to serve the country and are taken care of by the tax payer. What we are seeing here is people vying to serve the country for personal rewards and not nation building. Does the saying “Ask not what the country can do for you but what you can do for your country” ring a bell? Seems even salaries should be determined on the basis that both those of the civil service and corporate world should not exceed those of political leaders. Yet one wonders who really moves the national economy!
Curb presidential clauses. Request parliamentary approval of salary increments. Abolish SI and spread the need for full parliament participation in key clauses of the constitution. Submit pipo for the future lies in this constitutional review. Now watch pafwakas bulkle with ur submissions.
SATA IS NOT THE BEST PRESIDENT. HE WON BY A MINORITY VOTE OUT OF ALL THE OTHERS. IT WAS NOT NOT OVERWELMING AS HE DIDNT GANNER EVEN 50%. SATA HAS ALREADY MESSED UP ZAMBIA, NOT EVEN REDRESSING THIS SITUATION WILL MAKE US FORGET WHAT HE HAS DONE.KK ONCE TOLD US SATA IS GOOD WHEN HE IS UNDER SOMEONE,NOT HIM LEADING. ASK KK HE IS STILL AROUND. SATA IS NOT THE BEST FOR ZAMBIA.
It’ s so funny how some people think that Politicians can change their lives.Matter of fact,politicians are in it to win it..in other word ther are there to enrich themselves and their families.It will be folly to even entertain the idea that politicans can better you life especially in that Banana State called Zambia!That is why some of are NOT going back to Africa EVER! Everthing about Africa is bad…EVERYTHING!
*THE MOST UGLIEST PEOPLE ARE IN AFRICA
*PEOPLE WITH BIG D.ICKS AND SMALL HEADS ARE IN AFRICA
*AT THE OLYMPICS,IT’S THE LEAST ACHIEVING CONTINENENT.
Sometimes I’m made to think Slavery was a good thing,look at our Black brothers everywhere…Europe,USA,Caribbean islands they are doing good at the Olympics.And you want me to go back to Africa…Zambia!
our presido has really disappointed alot of people. shame on you!
Nice post, it seems that i’ll be comming here more often to check if you have a new post =)
vasquez rosario
Hi, just wanted to say i liked this article.