Friday, March 29, 2024

Former First Lady Dr Kaseba Rejected Houses in Lusaka’s Upmarket Suburbs-Msiska

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Dr Roland Msiska Secretary to the Cabinet
Dr Roland Msiska Secretary to the Cabinet

Government has said that former first lady Christine Kaseba turned down houses in Lusaka’s upmarket suburbs contrary to reports that the State has failed to pay for her accommodation.

Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has also said Government has paid Reedbuck Lodge in Lusaka’s Kabulonga suburb a total of K2,246,547 for full board and lodging for Dr Kaseba and her family up to June 30, this year, while awaiting permanent accommodation

Mr Msiska said that at no time had Government failed to accommodate the former First Lady Christine Kaseba as reported in some sections of the media.

Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska said following the demise of President Michael Sata, government made arrangements to accommodate the former first family at 8 Reedbuck Lodge in Kabulonga in January 2015 when she moved from State House.

In a statement issued to media in Lusaka last night, Dr Msiska explained that this is in line with the provision of the benefits of former President’s act no 21, 1998.

Dr Msiska said government paid 8 Reedbuck Lodge a total of Two million two hundred and forty six thousand, five hundred and forty seven kwacha (2,246, 547.00) for full board and lodging for Dr. Kaseba and family up to 30th June, 2015.

He said however the situation arose from a letter the proprietor wrote to Dr Kaseba asking her to leave the premises.

Dr Msiska Government reminded the proprietor that the contract was between government and 8 Reedbuck Lodge of which he tendered an apology to government.

He said Cabinet office however informed Dr Kaseba of what transpired and that she could continue to stay at the lodge.

Dr Msiska explained that Dr Kaseba and family have opted to move out of 8 Reedbuck Lodge despite government having paid up to June 30th 2015.

And Dr Msiska said government through Cabinet office has had a standing arrangement with the proprietors of 8 Reedbuck Lodge to house on temporary basis former Presidents or their spouses upon leaving State House while awaiting for a more permanent arrangement.

Meanwhile, Dr Msiska has disclosed that a property has been identified in Woodlands residential area in consultation with the former first lady but will only be available for occupancy at the end of June, 2015.

He however said properties which are standalone houses and are preferred by the former first lady are not readily available on the market.

Dr Msiska said in this line, Cabinet Office is constantly engaging real estate agents who specialise in the high-end property market to find suitable accommodation for the Former First Lady.

145 COMMENTS

  1. What a greed woman. People suffering when you’ve got houses scattered all over the country. Kaseba never loved sata-thats a fact. She just went in for money and contributed to the man’s death

    • Are you for real GRZ????? you are out of your minds. surely what importance is the former first lady that you spend such a huge amount of money? This sort of money buys you a house in Australia. $392,337.13 AUD is such a lot of money.
      What is really wrong with our leaders surely all this spent on 1 family. Look at the voters who are suffering. With this money you could have built her a good house in Lusaka.
      Awe sure kulavotafye. She is also a money monger

    • What a waste of government resources. It is the government that should be ashamed of failure to distribute national resources prudently.

    • 1. Arrest the swindler proprietor of that Reedbuck Lodge
      2. Mrs Sata should humble a little. Why not let children stay with Mulenga Sata & Kazimu, while Ba muka Yama kaseba take a vacation?
      3. Why does it have to be in Lusaka ONLY? I have a property in Mansa which she can stay for FREE. My “relatives” can move out in 2 days.

      Note: pick 1 of my points, not just general comments you do to hon. Nostra.

    • I have now come to believe that Africans are indeed dull and stupid!

      Who is Kaseba for the government to be paying such huge some of Money?

      Did Govt do the same to Dr Maureen Mwanawasa?

      Kaseba new that her husband was on the brink of the grave…….but what was she planning all THIS LONG?.

      This is madness! We just have to start a war in Zambia.

    • So, the Zambian Watchdog as always was right when they reported that Govt was spending about K20 000 per day to pay Dr.Kaseba’s bills at the lodge. This was at a time when salaries for Civil Servants were delayed. The whole episode is very embarrassing for Govt, President Lungu and Dr.Kaseba. This could have been settled differently

    • These figures are way far high to be spent on one family in 5 months. Why should you rent the whole lodge for a single family as if they will occupy the whole of it?
      It’s high time she realized she’s no longer in state house and need to face the reality. This is pure wastage of taxpayer’s money which her husband was strongly against while in opposition.

    • I AGREE WITH U.THIS WOMAN IS VERY GREEDY.TURNING DOWN VERY GOOD HOUSES IN HIGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS KOZ SHE WANTS PRESIDENTIAL LIKE HOUSE?SHE EVEN GOES TO UPND CRYING THAT SHE HAS BEEN EVICTED WEN GOVERMENT SPENT O DAT MONEY 4 RENT ENDING 30TH JUNE.THE POST NEWSPAPER IS NOW GABAGE KOZ IF THEY KAN MAKE IT HEADLINE WITHOUT RESEARCHING,THEN THEY ARE USELESS.I FEEL SORRY 4 HH KOZ HE HAS RONG ADVISORS.INSTEAD OF TALKING BOUT REAL ISSUES AFFECTING ZAMBIANS,HE WANTS TO MAKE GREEDY CHRISTENE’S ACCOMODATION A NATIONAL ISSUE.CHRISTENE IS A GREEDY WOMAN .

    • Mr Sata did a lot for this country, so i think she deserves it.

      Anyone condemning her, didn’t love MR sata. Lungu is a Presdeint ONLY because of Mr Sata.

      Thanks
      Bb2014

    • It has nothing to do with the lady people. Msiska has explained clearly that these are the “benefits of former President’s act no 21, 1998.” You should instead be venting your anger towards MP Nkombo who really has been part and parcel in passing dumb laws like this. Nkombo has forgotten who sent him (the poor) to parliament instead he has decided to throw his misguided sympathies to the filthy rich. He should be ashemed with himself.

    • Don’t blame Dr Kaseba for this item. All blame must be heaped on the entire useless PF cabinet. Don’t forget that the late former President MC Sata publicly said that his government consists of useless ministers. For those who had doubts and objected to his public statement, the statement above from Msiska has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that indeed the PF government and the current cabinet in particular is made up of useless ministers. They have no clue about what value for money means. To them, it appears they can approve anything f00lish as long as they are in power. How on earth can clear minded Cabinet Ministers approve such kind colossal figures to be spent in a few months on a single Zambian family? This is a true definition of being dull full stop.

    • Goodness me?? Is that not a price of a very Good House in Zambia?? Spending such an amount within 6 months in a lodge? The owner of that lodge has built another one from this? Not even Hotel apartments would cost that much.

      This lady, called Dr Kaseba has no HEART for Zambians?? If truly the husband was there to reduce costs and better the lives of poor people, why would she do this?? I agree with people who call her to be greedy she is naïve

    • Kaseba is not living in kalingalinga or Shangombo for God’s sake! This clause of accommodating the family of ex president’s should be removed from the constitution as it is now not necessary and getting abused. Cobra refused to move into state house because we hear it was dirty. If his house was cleaner than state house, why not move back into the house she lived in?This family does have a lot of houses to be homeless. Call a spade a spade,the clause of accommodating families or ex presidents has lived its usefulness and must be killed off the constitution. The PF government is insulting the poor and those living rough .Why pay the rich when the poor have nothing.

    • I am disgusted with the whole PF and Sata Family behavior. They are evil and do not deserve to serve Zambians.

      This is stupid. they have homes and spending like this?? well done Lungu to have evicted her. Kambili is very foolish apologizing to this woman.

      Even her husbands benefits should not be paid, similar to the way they don’t pay retirees and other civil servants..

    • Many questions arise but never will a satisfactory answer be provided as responses will always skirt the heart of the question! How big is Kaseba’s family to rent the whole lodge? Government is thinking with the heart than brains! I also agree with those that see greed and heartlessnes on the meagre resources the country has adding the need to do away with the building of houses for former heads of state or their widows at government expense. If one getting into state house without a sound base what value are they carrying with them to lead?

      Having had a glimpse of HH’s mansion I wonder if the worst was to happen to him while in state house or after office government would provide a residence better than what he’s prepared himself and if the wife would want to be in a transit home!…

    • “And Dr Msiska said government through Cabinet office has had a standing arrangement with the proprietors of 8 Reedbuck Lodge to house on temporary basis former Presidents or their spouses upon leaving State House while awaiting for a more permanent arrangement.”
      Don’t blame the innocent woman plse.

  2. Mwana, can we accept that that figure which is about 300,000 dollars is from 21 january 2015 to 30 june 2015 being 5 months. So are you telling us that you paid about $60,000 per month for rentals ?

    Not even inter-continental hotel charges $2000 per night.

    No wonder you need more eurobonds !!!

    • The owner of the lodge need payback to government. He is a total fraud, a number 1 thief in Zambia, stealing from tombs of Sata.
      He should be arrested for ABUSING the state and worse for ABUSING and humiliating Ba Christina Kaseba.
      We demand to know him and his country of origin.

    • Mate depends how many people are staying their plus security people are also eating and staying there. Hotel owner is ok but GRZ & kaseba are to blame for being greedy

    • It is possible to accrue rentals at $2000 per night if you take up almost all the rooms at a lodge. Over and above that there is the food and beverages bill as well as laundry. They should just do away with this business of building a house for a former president. It is not tenable for a poor country. Imagine that even the Speaker of the National Assembly is entitled to a retirement home.

    • Umuswema you have made a lot of sense! Mr. Sata was living with Dokota Kaseba in his house in Omelo Mumba Road until he became President. Why couldn’t she just go back to the same house and save the country a bit of some money? Some useless Acts must definitely be scrapped! This is the problem with from Rags to Riches statuses, when the sacle tilts to from Riches to Rags, mwafilwa ukuchita adjust…pathetic woman!

    • This is greed, pure and simple. Kaseba got so used to wasting millions of Taxpayers money on overseas travel and she thinks she is still entitled to more!

      What has this woman done for Zambians?? NOTHING

      What has she done for herself??? Living a life of luxury paid for by national resources – that were BORROWED by her late husbands PF.

      She is just a cheap CRIMINAL and deserves nothing from us!

  3. Uyu Mayo alikwata problem,just imakini alefwaya ukwiminina pali bu Presidenr libe aba kumushi tabalapwa ukwisa kuchililo & this time around she evicts herself b4 the expiry of the rentals,is she a mental Doctor?She likes doing things prematurely.

  4. We have got more serious issues such as the erosion of the kwacha than talking about a person who better off than most of us

  5. That is a lot of money to pay for one’s rent in just 6 months. Indeed, that is just where some of the waste goes. Indeed Zambia is not a poor country, no wonder people are queuing up to give us more Eurobonds.

    Why not just payout cash benefits to her so she can go and buy an island and build a mansion of her choice? Finding and building houses for people really shouldn’t be Government’s responsibility. Just Pay them Gratuity and what they do with it is up to them.

    I don’t think first families who occupy high office as as irresponsible as Drug Addicts such that if we gave them the money they will blow it and live in a cardboard on the street!! These people had houses before, hello!!

  6. I doubt the lodge would evict her if they were paid as being claimed. This statement, “And Dr Msiska said government through Cabinet office has had a standing arrangement with the proprietors of 8 Reedbuck Lodge to house on temporary basis former Presidents or their spouses upon leaving State House while awaiting for a more permanent arrangement.” speaks a lot about the arrangement otherwise Govt would have been talking about the lodge being in breach…! I can only deduce that it must have been on credit and the lodge got fed up! Stop being gullible Zambians who would evict a paying client and risk losing a good business? Tell Msiska to stop telling lies. I don’t blame the former first lady at all. The choice to make this arrangement was by your Govt so give the lady a break!

    • But why did the dull and stupid landlord write to Dr. Kaseba instead of writing to Government who were responsible for the payments? Landlord later apologized because he realized he had messed up.

    • This standing arrangement was it single sourcing or was they a tender to call for persons who can offer this service?

  7. Greed made her stand on pf presidency now her greed wants to shame PF. Greedy woman you will loss the respect we have for you like maureen lost it

  8. This is extremely annoying. What a useless country! So much of my tax payers spent on useless undeserving people like Kaseba. It is time to change that useless law that provides for our useless presidents and their spouses in an appalling manner in a country where they are so many real needs in fields like education, health and decent low income housing. I am ashamed to be associated with this useless country

    • Iwe, leave the country alone, blame the policy and decision makers. You gat points and you’re right to be annoyed but you needlessly punctuate your statements with insults on fellow injured country men. That’s why we fail to change things; you blame the country instead of the responsible people who you surely know. How can the country be useless if you descended from it? At least, the country is useful enough to have begotten you.

    • Wow Joy, Wow, Wow don’t blame the country like is said @ 10.1. Remember the famous ”ask not what the country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”? So, what are you doing to change the status quo?

  9. This nonsense must come to an end.All that money to one family when we have people going without clean water and proper medical services.That amount of rentals is a health post in some rural are.Let us get serious people.Better Gorverment buy a house for one off even it costs 1million dollars.Can we please stope being a bunch of jokers.

  10. Contrally to the cabinet statement and Chief GRZ spokesperson’s statement, something is wrong among them. Kambwili apologized to Kaseba for her greediness. is this in order? Msiska, was that money really paid in cash or it was just pa nkhongole? Any way lets wait for the owner of the lodge to respond so we make a proper analysis on the matter.

    • There is nothing much the owner of the lodge can say at this stage as he already apologized for the mistake he made by writing to Dr. Kaseba instead of addressing his issues to Government. He can, however, tell us why he decided to write to Dr. Kaseba though knowing fully well that it was government that was paying the bills.

    • One wonders why lazy Lungu is not that proactive when it comes to responding to corruption, governance and mismanagement allegations only useless issues that do not affect joe public.

  11. What a huge wastage of resources at the expense of assisting the real needy people. Where was she residing before relocating to state house? Remind her that, with all due respect, Sata is long gone and she should not continue holding the country ransom in the name of former First lady. Lets be reasonable at times.

    • So much rubbish!!!

      GRZ spends like an irresponsible drunken sailor from a war zone. MMD started this madness and PF has continued with it. My goodness.!! This is just a tip of the iceberg regarding how GRZ abuses tax payers’ money. The day you will know the real truth, you will cry. Zambians do not owe anything to these leaders!!! Whoaaa.

      How i look forward to God one day giving us a leader who will be bold and courageous enough to stand for the interest of Zambia and Zambians. So far I am still waiting to hear our current President address the nation on measures he intends to make to stop this irresponsible wanton spending by GRZ. He has also followed the late Sata’s system of avoiding Press conferences. I am very disappointed indeed.

  12. Bring in UPND so that they can come and change this silly law about accommodating these former first ladies it has to stop this woman has houses in Lusaka.

    • Pwa ha ha ha……ati bring in UPND…..iwe are you not aware that it was a UPND MP who was trying to champion the cause of Dr Kaseba……your party UPND was trying to gain political milleage out of this whole issue,in other words they are in support of making the payments.

    • The Zambian Traveller says and I quote, “Situated in a leafy suburb, Eight Reedbuck Hotel is an elegant, modern and culturally informative hotel. The distinctive twist at Eight Reedbuck Hotel is that all the luxurious suites are named after Zambian tribes and you’ll become visually aware of Zambia’s rich culture and ceremonies. It is a refreshing retreat for those who just want to get away from it all, Modern African décor, Every room is furnished in a sophisticated African style, and Larger rooms have jacuzzis”.

      Use Google Maps to see it. The address is 8 Reedbuck Rd, Kabulonga

  13. This is a vague statement; all I’m getting here is GRZ has paid XXX amount and there is no clear statement when this moneys was paid, is it after it became outstanding that they have paid…its one thing stating that we made arrangements in January and another stating we were up to date in rentals.

    These people are some of the most wasteful empty tins I have come across surely up to now this government has no safe mansions or guest houses in Lusaka…we waste so much money on one person but we can not build a library for a community we would rather sale council land to the Chinese for a commission so they could build big gated tripe storey houses for illegal Chinese immigrants and their workers.

  14. All of you,

    Definitely you have good reasons to respond in this way. The issue now is that “the government should revisit this piece of law and refine it.. if not doing away with it. I also wish to remind ourselves that this piece of law is still proposed in the draft new constitution. I maybe wrong to suggest that Parliament should revisit it and do some corrections.
    The same goes to “building big estates for former Presidents, coz I foresee a situation that RB (as example) to benefit even twice.
    This reaction is positive and am sure Mushota has missed it so far. I wish I could read her views on this issue..

    • Do you know what a secretary to the cabinet is? What were you doing when your friends were taking lessons in social studies?

  15. and to imagine the Finance minister is asking for more borrowing – only to spend our money like this???????? honestly, where is the seriousness in this government???

  16. THIS IS NONSENSE LET HER GO BACK TO RHODESPARK ! WHO THE HELL DOES SHE THINK SHE IS PRETENDING THAT SHE IS A DESTITUTE ATA MA RUBBISH !

  17. What a waste of resources for such a poor country with some people in remote areas going for a day without a meal. Dr Kaseba deserves to be accomodated in line with the respect that goes with the office of her late husband – but not these figures please. No wonder the world bank has said it is not happy with the wastage by the Zambian government. This is too much. Non rebased over 2billion wacha in less than 5 months

  18. There so many stand alone mansions that have been built by PHI and NHA. Why is government failing to save money by simply buying one of these mansions to be used as a transitional home for anyone leaving state house? Let us stop wasting tax payers’ money.

    • Will HH who is now reputed to be rich also behave the same way of self-serving as GRZhas done since KK left State House. During KK public servants were fired whenever they spent carelessly. Not anymore. They are promoted, transferred or sent into diplomatic service unless they are very unlucky.

  19. I’m real estate agent, I can find her a reasonable house in Mtendere or Chawama. She is no different from any of the ordinary Zambian. What is this all nonsense about her?

  20. This is how crooks steal money. they connive with the lodge owner to milk GRZ. Again ZWD has been proved to be right.

  21. Just think, people with this kind of judgement and insane priorities are in charge of the entire national treasury.

    Surely there is no hope for development – better just float another EuroBond and wait for HIPC-2.

    • There will be NO HIPC 2. Once bitten, twice shy.

      Zambians will have to pay back the US$ 20 Billion that these Poor Fools have borrowed and STOLEN.

      Our children have been SOLD INTO SLAVERY until the day they die.

  22. Ati she is squatting. Cheap propaganda….and the useless talkative UPND small boys bought it. Its always wise to shut up and wait for elders to speak before you advertise your ignorance. These upnd chaps have been crying over GRZ resource usage. So under 5 chaps what are you going to say about this? Oh, what…u waiting for further instructions from mmembe?…..ok. Makes sense.

    • You man use your head. This has nothing to do with UPND. Would it make sense for anyone to be evicted if GRZ had made payment upto 30 June 2015 before expiry of the rentals? I dont think Dr. Kaseba would be that unreasonable to just walk away when payment was upto 30 June. And why are Kambwili the Govt spokesperson and Msiska not saying the same thing? Either one of them is lying or both are. Given PF’s history with the truth, well, I leave it to you to judge……

  23. we are headed for war at the pace we are moving. Do the government have learned people to sort out this mess please!!!!! we are so tired. next will end up voting for Muliokela.

  24. What a wasteful government, K2,246,547 spent on rentals for just six months! Double that amount for one year. that amount is enough to build a house. By the way, what has happened to the retirement house Sata started building just after he became president? ********* I think as a country we are spending too much on former presidents and their familities. When I power, all expenses are paid for, their salaries are not touched, they get pickbags, etc. and we should continue supporting them even after they leave? I think just a pension will do, all other so called entitlements should be cancelled. when will the country develop if we only concentrate on a few greed chaps…

  25. lets not blame kaseba, there must have been something amiss somewhere. imagine, msiska says the lodge was paid upto june 31 later on we hear kambwili apologising on behalf of govt. if everything was in order, why apologise. and you and me know that kambwili doesnot apologise anyhow. but mumy naimwe, how do you rush to the press for such an easy task for the govt. alot of things will be exposed about you, look at what been spent on you, several students at CBU and UNZA CAN BE SPONSORED IN medicine. next time mum find a better way of resolving issues. ba Govt naimwe, how do you spend such money carelessly. you should have sorted oout this problem a long time ago. so nganimwebo pali uwalelyamo. TATWALOSESHEFYE

  26. So what was Garry Nkombo going on about? Let him arrange affordable and cost effective accommodation for Christine.

  27. Rejecting ONE house does not mean rejecting all houses. Msiska said the other houses were unsuitable or owners changed their minds.

    Besides, if they claim to have paid up to June, why should the landlord write an eviction notice. Just admit that she was staying there on credit.

    And if lease was up to June (which ends in 5 days time) why doen Msiska not address the outcome AFTER 5 days from now.

  28. We need to change the constitution about these arrangements really. That is simply too much money to pay for single family’s rent especially when the majority Zambians live abject conditions. They lived in Rhodespark and they should simply move back and stop bothering govt period. Why are so selfish really?

  29. It was not Kaseba who organised for that accommodation. Some one in government did and could be getting kick backs. It is not Kaseba to look for accommodation of her own but government arranges.

    Finally even if Kaseba has private property where she can reside she has an entitlement she needs to enjoy. The best way for Zambians is just to change the law of entitlements for presidents which were introduced by no other than Kafupi Fredrick Chiluba who is now enjoying the benefits he introduced at embassy Park.

    • May be that that is why they(Lodge) asked her to leave. They must have sensed something as this amount is too colossal so much that it can house all the street kids at Kitwe’s Shoprite.

  30. Thank you Dr Msiska for the clarification. It’s a good thing people know the Media to sensationalise issues.

    I feel conflicted on this matter. Dr Kaseba is a widow as a Christian Nation we are called upon by scripture to help widows and treat them with kindness. Also clearly, as quoted by Dr Msiska, we have a constitutional duty by parliamentary Acts.

    However, it is very difficult not to enquire whether Dr Kaseba does not have a family home? Is it not grand enough? Surely she must have a few coppers in her bank account which dear President Sata must surely set aside for her. These are the matters arising out of consideration of her.

    I support the dignified treatment of her and it is clear that she acted with dignity in moving out of the fully paid lodge after request.

  31. Shame on you Dr Kaseba, dont allow yourself to be used be disgruntled journalists like Fred, the money you have gobbled in rentals is too much to say the least more than k 300,000 per month ,when we have retirees in this country that have gone unpaid for years, students that have stopped school due to shortage of govt sponsorship, pipo dying everyday due to shortage of drugs. Stop acting and own up madam, i held you in high esteem but not anymore coz you are behaving jst like Maureen Mwanawasa……..greedy !

  32. As much as we know that government should take care of the late presidents family, such spending of tax payers money shows revenue mismanagement which is the main reason why we want to raise the debt ceiling. It is for this reason that Zambians should not support the New debt the government wants to take on.

  33. Headline is misleading,he has not said anything concerning her rejection of any house.Kaseba was evicted because Govt has not paid a single ngwee to Reedbuck Hotel,the guy got fedup with excuses and somebody wanting a bribe before his monies are paid.But in all honesty 2.2m in 6 months rentals and some Minister guy is saying we need to borrow more. The President is saying am starting my campaigns when i come back! Zambias just attempt to get serious with your leaders!

  34. You people don’t cease to amaze me. Only yesterday you were in the forefront condemning GRZ that it was bankrupt and failed to look after mama Kaseba. And today you are yapping on how GRZ can spend such colossal sums of money on her. Where you naturally born to condemn without critically analyzing issues? You surprise me.

    • I stopped getting suprised a long time ago…that’s the opposition for you no substance nikisi!

  35. Incurring debt is not bad, the use of the money got is really what matters . For instance, if I borrow money from a friend just to go buy beers then I have problem because beers will not improve my financial power in any way. But if I get a loan to get a house, that is good investment because I can decide to rent out the house and payback the debt and still remain with the house as an asset. This is our current problem pa Zed, we get the eurobonds mismanage the funds the go back for more just borrowing money for beers.

  36. IF I WAS A LODGE OWNER I WOULD BE UPSET THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EARN US$300,000 WAS NOT ADVERTISED AS REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES.

    THIS KIND OF RECKLESSNESS WILL TAKE ZAMBIA NOWHERE. IT IS IMMORAL ON BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE FORMER FIRST FAMILY.

    HOW WILL FISCAL STABILITY BE ACHIEVED THEN WITH THIS KIND OF SPENDING?

  37. Kaseba must have been evicted by the owner due to she and her family’s (mis)conduct! Why would the owner of the lodge ask her to leave if she conducted herself well? In any case, why not let her look after herself if she’s rejecting government accommodation? Does she want another State House? She’s just a former “first lady?”, period> She no longer provides the services she used to provide to Sata! Esther Lungu is the one doing that to her husband! Kaseba, wasebana! Of what use are you to the Zambian people? What benefit I am deriving from my tax by your continued stay in government accommodation? Get real and move on! We know you have plenty of money!

  38. Zambians, the ball is in your court. You must fight tooth and nail to change this clause. No sitting president can reject this luxurious life after retirement and therefore do not expect them (presidents) to alter it any time soon. I have learnt that it has aggrieved you all in equal measure despite your political affilliation and hence fight to alter it. Imagine spending such sums of money after every president retires. When will the ordinary citizen ,especially the poor rural folk uplift their lives. Pathetic!

  39. This is way to extravagant. I think the only thing a former president should be entitled to is a small salary per month and perhaps paid up security. That is all.
    This said, there is too much financial mismanagement in poor countries, this is why we cannot go forward. I hate to have to admit, but we could benefit from having a wealthy president.

  40. PF embarrassment just keeps on giving and giving more and more. This is a reflection of the inside stink some of which we don’t even know about. There must be a he’ll more rot about ALUNGU and you don’t want to know.

    • Have you all forgotten that the first thing Sata did when he was elected was to to give himself a 100% salary increase!!!

      And this woman now needs more taxpayers money???

  41. In Zambia we lack forward thinking and become so obsessed and very sympathetic retrospectively thinking.
    Late president Sata’s health was well known far way back (wife is medical doctor), results were foreknown. Hence, planning for his final dimise should not have found PF government on its left foot. Dr Kaseba knew all this, and even took casual trips abroad because Sata was on PALLIATIVE condition, a situation very well known to medical proffesionals. This should have helped Secretary to Cabinet plan systemetically of events following Sata’s death. However, emotions of politics takes over and decency of the dead is erroniously engulfed with sympathetic feelings that boarder of absurd decisions taken that later beg the nation to question the credibility of leadership in power.

  42. Someone at govt house connived with the lodge owner for an inflated amount and then they shared the loot. We need an investigation into this!

  43. All you need to do is change the Constitution on former president’s entitlements. After all, Ministers. VP and the President have where they came from before becoming minister or whatever, so why build a house? If they cannot build a house of their own choice from their earnings while in that government position, they should return where they came from. What is this nonsense of building houses for former presidents? It’s all a damn waste of our scarce resources when the majority Zambians are suffering. That your Maureen Kaseba is behaving like Maureen. Very self centered and selfish individuals who showed hat they cared for the poor when they were first ladies, when in fact not. Shameless gold diggers! Amend the law that deals with former president’s entitlements now. Ni mpupu chabe!

  44. If its true that Dr Kaseba rejected offers made by government, then government should not wait till they are made to apologise as Kambwili has done as if Zambians deserve that apology. This is clear demonstration that a country is run by people who are driven by sheer emotional feelings than being on top of national issues.
    Another pending disaster is in the offing and as usual emotions are rising high that colossal sums of money spent of presidential sickness matters less for anyone can fall sick. Granted, but KK and others go to UTH for medical help while the elite to which Katele Kalumba does not want to belong go to Saouth Africa, India, UK and Israel. Total hypocricy. Lets meet the issue heads on. National expenditure is far too low compared with that of presidential expenditure.

  45. Its time to revise our presidential expenditure in line with our national development. Blank cheques to the office of the president should cease and other ambitious expensiture need be cleared by parliament. Late Sata would not have began to build TWO retiment homes while all former presidents are not even housed. One house is enough for a former president. Mapepe house in Chilanga should be taken over as government house as was built on government funds like Chishimba Kambwili’s houses in Luanshya need to be taken over by the council built on government land. Kambwili need file in compensation for building materials sybject to verifications of quality and building standards. All these issues need a govt with forsight and not political emotions that boarder on corruption.

  46. LEAVE DR. KASEBA ALONE! SHE IS NOT A LAW MAKER. BLAME THE PREVIOUS GOVERNEMENTS FOR SUCH A LAW. DON’T YOU PEOPLE GET IT IN YOUR THICK HEADS? THAT IS A LODGE WHERE FIRST LADIES ARE KEPT WHILE AWAITING PERMANENT RESIDENCY. SHE DID NOT CHOOSE THAT LODGE HERSELF. BESIDES SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY TO A HOUSE SHE SEES NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER AND HER KIDS. WHAT KIND OF STUPI.D PERSON COULD ONE BE TO BE FORCED TO STAY IN A HOUSE ONE DOESN’T LIKE? BESIDES SHE IS THE SMARTEST, ELOQUENT, VIBRANT AND INTELLIGENT FIRST LADY WE HAVE EVER HAD. SHE ALWAYS PUT SMILES ON FACES OF MANY ZAMBIANS WHEN SHE IS DOING HER MEDICAL AND NATIONAL DUTIES ABROAD. OTHERS WHERE THERE FOR FASHION AND STEALING NGOs MULAS.

  47. This is the problem when you have a visionless president. Lungu was obviously aware of this reckless arrangement but because of lack of leadership he failed to guide government. Similar lack of direction is being seen in other areas of government operations. Lungu is just too dependant on others when it comes to making serious national decisions such that one wonders why he is in state house. He is always shielding behind other people. I have never seen such a weak president. He should spend more time at home to solve problems rather than attending conferences at heavy tax payers money. The presidency is about making tough and wise decisions for the country and not what he is doing now.

    • @joe I agree with you entirely. I remember that when it came to the late president Mwanawasa’s attention that Kalusha was living a lavish lifestyle at the pamodzi hotel at tax payer’s money, he immediately ordered government to stop the arrangement. He did not waste time instructing Secretary to the cabinet to issues statements. Its the duty of the president to safeguard national resources from exploitation by unscrupulous entities and Lungu does not seem to be in control of the situation neither does he seem to understand the implications. This kind of leadership is very questionable.

    • I suppose it’s okay for Lungu to unilaterally change the constitution? You’re the same people who will condemn him for such unilateral actions! Get real and push for the change to this unnecessary expenditure! Even the proposed constitution has these provisions imbedded in it! Let’s push for corrective measures instead of addressing symptoms of underlying problems!

    • Exactly my thoughts @59.2, ECL can just wake up and change an Act right Joe and June? As for Kalusha Bwalya (what an example!), it’s not written anywhere in the statues that the FAZ President can stay at ”Reedbuck Lodge” for instance. Spare us your ignorance!

  48. I WAIT TO HEAR WHAT FRED M’MEMBE,GARRY NKOMBO AND THEIR TRIBAL UPND WILL SAY!!honestly can a serious politician support Dr.Kaseba on this issue?Sata has so many house across Lusaka.then there are a lot of nice executive houses for rent at US$3 500 or US$4 000 in Lsk.but being a greed woman she rejects everything as she didnt want to leave state house!!!AM SURE UPND,FRED M’MEMBE HAVE BEEN EXPOSED HERE FOR SUPPORTING ANYTHING BLINDLY!!!

    • @eddy I think you have got it all wrong here. Hon Nkombo raised a point of order for the government to explain to the nation and the post reported it as is expected of the press. I don’t see any support to the issue here. In any case how were you going to know about this scandal if Hon Nkombo and the post had not exposed it? Without prejudice the two must be praised if anything .

  49. All these politicians are the same.being opposition or ruling party.look UPND want us to vote for it in 2016 when they are busy supporting Dr.Kaseba wasting our money like this!!does it make sense?Dr.Kaseba has a house in Rhodespark along Omelo Mumba road and she just gave it to her daughter married to Chimwemwe(Bob Sichinga’s son) plus many other houses.Surely cant she just sheift to one of her houses or atleast accept house worth US$4 000?I WILL SOON STOP VOTING.PLUS ZAMBIANS OPEN YOUR EYES FOR PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO BE ANGELS LIKE THOSE IN UPND-GARRY NKOMBO IS SUPPORTING DR.KASEBA HERE HE WANTS U TO VOTE FOR UPND-SHAME!!

  50. There is no former head of state who does not own a house, spouses and former HOS should move back to their homes and be paid K10,000 as rent allowance. At the rate we are going we will be spending huge amounts of money on housing spouses since it looks like everyone wants to die as a HOS. The money you paid could have been used to buy medicines for hospitals if she had moved to her own house. Kaseba is greedy that is why she tried to run for presidency while she was still mourning her husband, her true colours came out so her behaviour now is not shocking to any right thinking Zambian.

  51. Pls leave Dr Kaseba alone.Shes not the lawmaker.I agree with Mushota.Lungu is president today because of mr Sata and Dr Kaseba helped Ba Sata to be president and ill treatment of this lady is giving EL bad name and lack of appreciation.It cant cost so much to keep her ther It could be somebody is getting kichbucks.Pls investigate.How can the proprieter write her to vacate if he was paid up top 30th June?Somebody is not telling the truth.Pls please do not call the doc greed because its simply her right according to Zambian laws.

  52. How come the government cant even pay for students in foreign universities just a little of that amount?
    We have suffered enough in these foreign lands.
    We have no money to come back home either. Please some one in govt have a warm heart to help us before we join bad habits to sustain our selves.

    • If you are in a Malaysian University,please, why not try peddling drugs and see how quickly your anguish will be sorted out by the firing squad…just a little pain and you would be dead.

  53. Instead of going through these unnecessary inconveniencies to the former first family after leaving state house, government should embark on building houses for retiring presidents and those leaving state house prematurely. This is as the law provides for it. Every year they should put in the budget to build one house and this time all former presidents and families should have been catered for ie Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Banda and now Sata. Government should plan properly.

  54. If this is not madness, then what is? Who is the owner of this same lorge? Who authorised this day light robbery.? This is what happens when the nation losses its values. Very shamefull.

  55. Please fellow wise zambians, spare all those attacks on christine. PF is a bunch of criminals and thieves. Kaseba is entitled to be cared for by pf govt, but to some limit. On this rent issue it is clear that some pf govt officials have benefited out of this conspiracy. Don’t be fooled.

  56. Iam amazed the Secretary to the Cabinet cannot issue a straight forward response and is waffling. He is talking of an arrangement with the Lodge, payment made up to 30 June, Dr Kaseba refusing some houses, on and on. The simple question is has the government failed to pay the rentals as Kambwili seems to admit? If Dr Kaseba was indeed evicted, on what grounds?

  57. Let’s wait and see what your pf govt will do to the 8 reedbuck lodge for breaking the rule of the game by evicted kaseba before 30th june. The question is, is pf govt going to demand some money back + the penalty? If nothing is done then just know that they is a lot to compromise your govt…

  58. But in the article I have not read where it says Kaseba rejected any house. Please LT report as profetionals not this dull.

  59. As at today’s exchange rate, K2,246, 547.00 = US Dollar 306,069.65. To blow this amount of money on lodging alone over a period of 6 months in a highly-indebted poor country (sorry concept) called Zambia is scandalous to put it mildly.
    The Zambian government is the luckiest government in the world, for elsewhere, this alone would be cause enough for whoever authorized such a humongous/colossal amount of money without public procurement tender procedure to step down pending investigation into the scandal.

  60. Dr Kaseba is just okay, infact let us praise her for moving out of the lodge quietly. The problem is with our Government, the Ministry of Works and Supply as to date only KK’s house has been constructed . Obviously, it means GRZ is spending for rentals on Regina Chiluba and Maureen Mwanawasa too, not forgetting Rupiah Bwezan . How long did Maureen stay in that Lodge? I don’t think it should take five years building a house for a former president, even if you are trying to build a fortress, it cant take that long!. A first lady or former president is government trophy , and you can not recklessly let them occupy a house in a non secure environment , Sata had enemies , thugs will go and invade Kaseba or even rape her, this will embarrass this country. GRZ shld expedite building houses .

  61. For now all the anger is on Kaseba, but this money is being spent on all three widows; ie, Kaseba, Maureen Mwanawasa ans Regina Chiluba. Not to leave out KK and RB.
    The big question should be; how should we honour our former presidents and their families? We need to plan better than this. Why not pay them gratuity and let them manage themselves?
    We can also build or buy them retirement homes whilst in power so that there comes no need to rent homes for them.
    If my memory serves me right the late Sata wanted to build all houses for former presidents including his own, and as usual some people condemned him. Possibly he had a vision and this crazy spending would not have been there.
    I also believe former first ladies receive salaries. Why then does govt. pay for their food?

  62. @ John Chinena,
    To your question, how should we honor our presidents and their wives? Answer: pay them their pension and let them fend for themselves as the likes of other retirees countrywide.
    The insertion of a clause in the constitution to build presidents, houses and keep their wives afloat at government expense is one reason why the constitution should be repudiated and a new one (removing that repugnant clause) enacted.
    One other way of honoring them would simple be to name some road or university, hospital or Mall after them without being encumbered with such debts. Is it any wonder that every scoundrel in Zambia wants to be president?

  63. Unfortunately Dr Kaseba cannot put her side of the story. I am sure there is more to this than what Msiska is saying. Chababipila Ba Kaseba.

    • Do not be foolish- how can you pity someone who’s accommodation is this exorbitant? This is very silly.
      Kaseba must know, being first lady is merely a privilege!

  64. She just wants attention, theres no way Kaseba can be stranded and go to Libala! She just wants to join UPND and is looking for excuses! We already know the deal!

  65. @Apathy,THE WHOLE LODGE WAS BOOKED!!THERE WERE NO OTHER CUSTOMERS SO TO SAY.ALL THE WAITERS, CLEANERS ETC WERE AT THE SERVICE OF THE FORMER FIRST LADY.GOD NEEDS TO GIVE OUR LEADERS WISDOM OR ELSE WE AS ZAMBIANS ARE HEADED FOR ENTRENCHED POVERTY.

  66. Apart from useless by-elections, this is another example of how wasteful the PF Government has been. One wonders how many such wasteful expenditure there are?

  67. Of course the law on emoluments is imperfect. It was enacted in 1998 and really is imperfect.
    Kaseba has no humility, first, attempting to stand on the PF ticket. The secondly, trying to draw some sympathy from the population whose money she is spending. This is very silly of her. She thought Mmembe would help her but the backlash she has suffered is just so great that Mmembe has avoided repeating the story.
    Kaseba, get off your high horse, Sata is gone, use your doctorate not your vag!na!

  68. Pigs! Pigs! Pigs! Greedy mean spirited Africans! Do you think the US the richest country on earth would spend $65,000 a month for a former president still drawing a salary? Makes me sick! By the way how much money is she getting paid or laid?

  69. A malaria test costs 10 cents per person, what a huge number of people that can benefit from all that money wasted in less thank 6 months! Eish man is really greedy!

  70. Why are we surprised by this? Dweebs elected to just become official dweebs. We have dweebs everywhere, including in institutions of higher learning. Until we change our stance and mindsets we will continue to do ridiculous things that only irresponsible authority do.

  71. Lungu and the entire PF government ,if you are reading this which I hope you do, we call on you to seriously look into this ill judged ,ancient and retrogressive clause in our mad constitution which allows the rich to benefit when as a country we have schools conducting classes under make shift classrooms without desks.

    Say your last prayers on this clause and for once let us consider it dead in our future constitution and laws of Zambia. Zambia does have a lot of bigger problems .Accomodating Kaseba and her family at such huge costs should not be a serious priority. Fix the health sector build more dams to generate more electricity. Let us not travel endlessly worse still irresponsibly borrow money on behalf of Zimbabwe.

  72. Msiska is not being truthful, remember Edgar Lungu moved into state house mid-march:

    Mid March to June K2,246,547.00
    Monthly Bill K641,870.57
    Daily Bill K21,395.69

    This is equivalent to $2850.00 per day.

    Not even Intercontinental is this expensive.

    These Msiska people have taken advantage of the situation and stolen money. Zambians, we must not allow this kind of theft to go unpunished.

  73. My heart is bleeding. This should be declared a national scandal and an enquiry should be instituted. I however would have no problem if this cost was recovered from the late Sata’s benefits.

  74. Some bloggers are blaming the owner of the lodge and it is unfair. If what he charges per day is the usual rate PF is at fault. But if he put up the charge deliberately then he is at fault. For all you know the amount might be an exaggeration. How do you know that some PF cadre is getting a back kick and benefiting from all this? It sounds rather allot to me. I have been to the lodge but I wouldn’t say wow!
    Unfortunately we don’t have an organization that can probe into this saga and remain neutral. This is another example of greed in the ranks.

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