LUSAKA – President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration introduced retirement benefits for former vice presidents after recognising that the office had long been overlooked despite its importance in Zambia's constitutional governance.
Speaking during the funeral service of former Vice President Dr. Guy Lindsay Scott at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, President Hichilema said it was unfair that former vice presidents had no formal retirement benefits despite their service to the nation.
The Head of State said that after assuming office in 2021, he discovered that while former judges and former Speakers of the National Assembly were entitled to post-retirement benefits, former vice presidents were excluded from similar provisions.
"One of the things that when we won the election in 2021, I realised was that vice presidents in this country were never looked after after their service in office. They were totally ignored," President Hichilema said.
He explained that after raising the matter, he was informed that existing laws did not provide retirement benefits for former vice presidents. He subsequently sought legal guidance from the Attorney General on how the issue could be addressed.
President Hichilema said that, before the law was amended, he appointed several former vice presidents as Presidential Special Envoys, enabling the country to continue benefiting from their experience and expertise.
Those appointed included Dr. Guy Scott, Malimba Masheke, General Godfrey Miyanda, Nevers Mumba, Enoch Kavindele and Inonge Wina.
According to the President, the appointments were intended to ensure former national leaders continued contributing to Zambia's development through advisory and diplomatic roles.
He further disclosed that his administration later worked with Parliament and the Attorney General to enact legislation providing retirement benefits for former vice presidents.
"I want to thank Parliament for passing that law. That law is now in place. Former vice presidents, all of them, irrespective of political party, because they served this country, are now on retirement benefits," President Hichilema said.
The President made the remarks as the nation paid its final respects to Dr. Guy Scott, who served as Zambia's Vice President from 2011 to 2014 and later became the country's Acting President.
Source: Kalemba News (By George Musonda)