Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has said that he expects Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers who remained in office after Parliament was dissolved in 2016 to pay back salaries and allowances following the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
In a statement released to the media by his Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Isaac Chipampe, President Lungu said that decisions of the courts of law must be respected regardless of positions taken by different parties, hence his position that the affected individuals must pay.
“We all must respect the rule of law because no one is above the law. Therefore, the ruling of the Constitutional Court must be complied with, ” the President said
The President further said that his administration will always uphold Separation of Powers in respect of the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature.
This week the former Cabinet ministers , their deputies and provincial ministers were given 30 days in which to pay back over K4.2 million which they got from the government in 2016.
In this case, Ngosa Simbyakula and 63 others are supposed to pay back a total of K4, 266,664.10 as salaries and allowances for May to July 2016.
This followed the court’s judgment of August 8, 2016 which ordered the ministers to pay back to the State all the allowances and salaries they received when Parliament was dissolved.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and UPND general secretary Stephen Katuka had challenged the continued stay of the ministers after parliament was dissolved ahead of the 2016 general elections and the case was decided in their favour.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has advised all ministers and ex ministers who remained in office when parliament was dissolved in 2016 to adhere to the Constitutional Court ruling and pay the monies.
TIZ Executive Director Maurice Nyambe said that following the clarification by the Constitutional Court on the amounts to be paid by ministers, it is important that they pay so that the money can be channeled to other developmental areas.
Siamunene and RDA chairperson Simon Mukupa at a really Itezhi Itezhi
yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
And ormer Livestock Minister Greyford Monde said he will abide by the Constitutional Court ruling. Mr. Monde said he is a law-abiding citizen and will pay all the monies as tabulated by the Court. He said he belongs to the PF which respects the judiciary and the rule of law.
Mr. Monde who is also former Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament has since dispelled social media reports that he will not respect the ruling of the Court. He was speaking in a telephone interview with ZNBC News from Itezhi Tezhi.
The president contributed to the situation the ministers have found themselves. Firstly, he told them to stay in office illegally, secondly he was opposed to the judgement when it was handed down. He misled them twice and now he has finally abandoned them.
??
True, I followed the debate and you are spot on, that’s what transpired, but question is, these Ministers are grown up people with own brains and at times one ought to deduce from certain aspects that this is not right and you own up and resign which in our Country its taboo and even opposing the President is also considered taboo even on principles. Also the Attorney General what did He advise which made all these Ministers fall in this trap?
Nick Ndawa The Attorney General is still the same one, and as chief government legal advisor he vividly said the ministers were to leave office upon Parliament being dissolved. However, the president ruled him out of order and said the ministers were allowed by law to remain in office. He said it on camera accusing the rest of us of a poor reading culture.
Lassie Kakuta he is coward
Lassie Kakuta ,Awesome, you have actually reignited my memory which is getting old.
That’s what transpired,and they have mo Shame.
??yaba!
Ati loya purezidenti. This is himself a law breaker, he does not respect the supreme scribes of the land yet he’s a loya.
Very unreliable this man. Chief Misleading Officer
Mmmmmm…….finally reality has dawned! I can’t wait for reality to dawn also for other numerous crimes committed by this regime at an opportune time
This is now the true color for the leaders surrounding Lungu. ECL must know that he is not loved by his own people nowonder they have all refused to pay back.
To me when l see this refusal of paying back, it means that even when ECL is arrested these same people who have denied to pay back the money will be mocking him in prison saying ECL fyakuifwaila.
What happened to all these years (5years) only now it has become a serious issue with the boss, pay but with INTEREST !
YOU ZAMBIANS NOW MUST LEARN WHY BILL 10 FAIL TO GO THROUGH. SUPPOSE IT WENT THROUGH WERE THESE ARROGANT PF LEADERS ABLE TO PAYBACK THE STOLEN FUNDS?
THE OTHER POINT IS IF THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY TOLD ME TO STAY IN THE OFFICE, I WILL NOT PAY BECAUSE I WAS UNDER HIS INSTRUCTIONS AND DID WHAT HE WANTED, SO WHY PAY FOR WHAT I WORKED FOR? LET BA LUNGU PAY KA K4M TO AVOID NONSENSE AND SHAME. BUT IF HE CONTINUES FORCING THEM, THEY WILL PUT HIM TO SHAME.
Edgar Chagwa Lungu this problem is your creation, you misled your colleagues. In fact you might even be in serious breach if you ignored the advice of the Attorney General. These institutions don’t exist to be toyed around with. As we move to enhance our democracy, politicians like must not think they can get away with all contraventions of the Law. Get it right, when you served from January 2015 you weren’t finishing Sata’s term because such a thing never existed. You don’t legislate in retrospect, that is if you want you refer to the current Constitution. Ask yourself why senior counsels like Patrick Mvunga are quiet. Do the right thing, don’t force yourself on the ballot next year. You can spy on us but that won’t help you, you’re weak. The PF must go to the convention and…
He first failed to obey the law, when he did not hand over power to the speaker of the national assembly during elections, then he mislead his ministers to overstay and now he is misleading them to support his third term bid after the collapse of bill 10. How dose he expect them to obey the law when he is the chief architect of breaking and not following the law? This is the paradox of claiming to be knowledgeable of the law yet acting with impunity for political expedience. The chickens have indeed come home to roost, time of reckoning is near.
The PF must go to the convention and choose a leader. However, if the PF is an orderly Party they must respect the hierarchy and allow Mama Inonge to lead them if she’s offered herself because she’s currently the 2nd most senior member of their Party. If they choose somebody else then they’re courting trouble because it’ll be a very difficult transition.
Sir! The same law you disrespected when you ordered them to stay.
Mwankoles to pay.
A low ya ya ya ya ya mislead them.
Lungu , lungu , lungu…..
After 5 years ?
What kind of a lawyer are you ??
But then he ordered them to remain in power…. he made others stay in office for his benefits…. let him be punished too
He wanted them soiled as well it’s sad they didn’t see that,they fell for the trap
Road side lawyer waffling nonsense
Rodgers Molobeka whenever it suits him alone ???
Roadside lawyer who likes eating Mangoes at the roadside kikikikikiki
So it will be Contempt of court id they resist to pay back.This one sorted next on the line is third Term bid mmm Yawama nkani.
We agree with the president. I have volunteered to pay back for all those ministers who are currently unemployed.
The constitutional court ruling is that all those Ministers who illegally draw salaries and other benefits during the period when parliament was dissolved should pay back the money. Now that ECL who misled the ministers to continue working has also finally agreed that these Ministers should respect the court ruling, it is up to these Ministers to seek support from ECL to enable them respect the law. Taxpayers just want these ministers to pay as ruled by the constitutional court. Once the payment issue is closed, there will still be cases of which individuals and institutions failed to respect the provisions of the constitution by allowing these Ministers to illegally draw salaries and benefits.
Lungu thought running a country was like running a chawama tarven
if they draw salaries illegally when parliament was dissolved, it means they were also hold on to ministerial positions illegally, and decisions they were making during this period as ministers was illegal not so? is someone still studying since 2016?
By the way I will only pay back for all those former ministers who are currently pf members. Those that moved to opposition or are against this government, you can go and ask your fada
Thanks your Excellency for taken up this issue I hope all ministers who remained in office do as wise and pay back the money
Yeta Nalishebo it shows how he respects the rule of law and depands accountability and transparency. job well done mr President
our president respects the rule of law. no one is above the law. he is a just man
its amazing that the president is pushing the ministers to pay back the money which will help push developmental projects.
that is tax payers money which should be used to quicken developmental projects and benefit the nation. its great that the president has taken centre stage to push the ministers to pay back the moneys. well done mr President
We should not forget that the reasons for illegally keeping Ministers working was to advantage ECL and PF during the 2016 elections. Therefore, ECL and PF won the 2016 elections using illegal means of keeping Ministers working when parliament was dissolved. What reparation can we expect from PF and ECL on this illegal means of winning elections? The repayment of illegal money alone doesn’t do justice to those who lost elections in 2016!!
We await what action these PF ministers will be taken against their president who misled them into an illegality because as at now Zambians know them as thieves that defrauded Zambians.
Muna that is why we have the courts to advise us. Isn’t our president human to err? Have you never made a wrong decision in your life? Grow up. You are the type of people i slap.
There is no room to err at that level. NO please
Do our leaders understand the LAW and r they LEARNED?WHO IS ABOVE THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY?DO THESE SAME LEADERS BREAKING THE LAWS FIT TO BE ELECTED AGAIN?WHO IS TO BLEM?
Some times do What you know than following what the boss tells u to do.yes bwana ilaletelela
Koswe.
Serves a lesson to all those people who commit crimes in the name of the president that they will be left alone to face the law and will be jailed alone.
Nanga u loya umene uyu ni wotyani kansi? Anyway PAY BACK THE MONEY!!!
Yes let them pay back and see how well that money can help in areas of development nice move
Respect the Constitution provisions. Mr Dr, Lungu you do not qualify to stand for Presidency again.
@NGOMA YA MAANO,
You are right. It proves to me that PF has ruled the Nation illegally if we go into details. Can PF find time to appeal with their opinion? Its like God is now revealing them who they are even if ECZ leadership signed up a contract to shield them, things have started revealing for themselves. Ala Lesa ni malyotola soon all secrets behind 2016 and 2021 will be revealed.
That’s why his license was revoked.Am sure he was dull nakusukulu,he always make wrong decisions.Next year he is going back to chawama.
Duty to Indemnify – Generally, a principal must indemnify an agent for liability incurred in the performance of her duties. This generally arises when the instructions of the principal subject the agent to liability to a third party.
Despite knowing the fact that the court’s order is not in favor of PF, President Lungu is appealing to the minister to pay back the money instead of fighting with the court.
No other President could show the guts or attitude the way President Lungu is handling the situation.
So does it mean that all those clauses the president read at that press conference in 2016 to justify the stay of ministers in office are fake and don’t exist? Our constitution surely need to be checked.For me this is why I enjoy mathematics 1+1 is 2 but at law 1+1 can mean 50,same clause 10 lawyers with different interpretations.Ine ifya so umutima ubukali ndili nyemede… maningi anso!
The money to be paid back can be used for developing the nation.
Paying back the monies is really cardinal because this money can go a long way..good job Mr President
The constitutional courts ruling is fair, His Excellency has done a good job. The ruling must be adhered to by ministers.
He said that laws are equal for all! I think it is a clear message for those haters who believe that Lungu is so privileged to be the president and he is free to do any crime.
A man of integrity..the country’s well being is at heart for him
The money belongs to the people of Zambia and it should utilize for them only. Minister cannot fill the pockets with our money.
No one is blaming the ministers that they purposely this is. Even the court is not punishing them, it just ordered that the ministers need to pay back the money as it belongs to citizens.
He said the right thing. All must respect the rule of law because no one is above the law.
Some ministers and oppositions are making a big deal out of it. Ministers are rich and pay the money within a month. Just follow the court’s order, why to debate on it?
The law is above everyone no matter their status. Thank you Mr President for upholding the law. Let them pay back as per the ruling of the Concourt.
Just as you should also respect the law by not standing for a third time in 2021 bwana ECL.
Lungu has thrown his ministers under the bus. Lesson to Kaizer Zulu. Lungu will throw you under the bus when your time comes. Just like he fired you from state house for your misbehaviour.
Just as you should also respect the law by not standing for a third time in 2021 bwana president.
Ja uleke dobo. You are going mad. You claim I was fired. Can you please show us a letter relieving me of my role in government. Every time the president fired someone, there is a public record for it. Promotion ati fired. Abena Zambia too much jealousy
Zambians are stubborn. He probably told those ministers to pay at the time and the refused. Reason I say the opposition and PF MPs are all useless and uneducated.
As at now, we know these PF ministers who got salaries and allowances illegally as thieves who deprived Zambians of their money. KZ, a thief remains a thief even after paying back what he/she stole. Courts have ruled.
Embarrassing again for PF government.
1- Refusing and prevaricating to acknowledge court ruling that offending ministers falsely stayed in office after dissolution of parliament.
2-Defrauded Zambian tax payers of national financial resources badly needed
3- Defrauding PF ministers insisting with impunity, rendered services to the nation in their illegal status
4- Refunding to national coffers ALONE is not enough, they committed a crime warranting punishment which courts must decide.
5- The 65 PF defrauding ministers should in turn sue Edgar Chagwa Lungu for causing embarrassment to PF party and individual ministers
Some PF members are hurt with truth, which is better than make them happy with a lie.
Dununa reverse looking at 4 year old payroll
The SALIENT lesson in this matter is that everyone who works for the President must understand that there is no such thing as doing an illegal thing and claiming in defence, ‘I was following orders.’ Whether it is a constable in Shangombo or a DC in Nyika, you will face the law on your own my dear if you do unlawful acts under instructions from your seniors.
Who will pay for the dead ministers?
Allowing the ministers to stay at that time was another of ECL’s populist but illegal move to have an election advantage. This directive is a further desperate reverse populist move to gain misplaced accolades that he doesn’t deserve. In fact, he has already arranged to pay for them
Sinking PF boat navigated by drank captain Lungu smashes into a rock and no survivors .They all need to face the law next year including their captain who wants to behave like a king in aconstitutional monarch. These are indeed kicks of a dying horse. Ifore see alot of Ministers in PF government going to jail after elections next year for stealing and embezzlement of funds from national coffers.THE kwacha keeps on depleciating and these ministers should pay back with interest just like paying for a loan. Lungu will remain a lone next year as some of his ministers and other PF political prostitutes run away leaving him alone in the wrecked boat.Its time we need new crop of leadership to govern this country.
Sinking PF boat navigated by drank captain Lungu smashes into a rock and no survivors .They all need to face the law next year including their captain who wants to behave like a king in aconstitutional monarch. These are indeed kicks of a dying horse. Ifore see alot of Ministers in PF government going to jail after elections next year for stealing and embezzlement of funds from national coffers.THE kwacha keeps on depleciating and these ministers should pay back with interest just like paying for a loan. Lungu will remain a lone next year as some of his ministers and other PF political prostitutes run away leaving him alone in the wrecked boat.Its time we had new leadership with fresh brain cells governing this country.
Dear small minds you are missing the point! The money is a small issue. ABROGATING THE CONSTITUTION is the real issue here! The culprit should be held accountable.
Let the president pay for them as
They were just following instructions from their boss’s.
He must be impeached for failing to uphold the constitution of Zambia.
Kuwayawaya ngati goalkeeper muma dying minutes.