Benefits of Former Presidents Act Cap 15 of the Laws of Zambia

1. Ala? Nambala one question – you beg to move where?

2. the law was made by Kafupi to benefit him . It must be changed to one where the country can afford

3. This is a million dollar question. Surely, Tax payers money can not be abused as observed in the article. A benfit means that one has worked, one has delivered. True, perhaps the law must be changed to enure that a former President is only paid a performance- based benefit. And it has to be minimal considering that a President does not spend a cent of his money during his tenure, not even on a pant. So he makes more servings than any other citizinen. Again, modest must be applied, K7B is way too much for ANYBODY’s house. That is a cost of a very big shopping mall to service the whole city of LSK, e.g. True one must serve a complete term to receive full benefits while others must fofeit benefits like Chiluba. U can not reward a thief for stealling from u.

4. It seems to me that the falsifiers have come out and exposed themselves to the LT bloggers all over the world. They have shown us all that the rubbish they spout cannot be trusted at all or taken as valuable information but rather fabulous riff raff disinformation meant to attack those views they oppose. Smoothcriminal, Kalos2020 and Kambongolo, maybe you should realize that we are in a democracy and everyone will support their party and candidate of choice whether you like it or not. If you cannot engage me in debate or my requests for proof then you might as well not talk about me in any of your posts nor address me in any way. Your campaign to defame my character with maligns is uncalled for.

5. Mwebaume this system is everywhere do you expect a former head of state to be renting accormodation sure ? (i wont mind sata being my tenant in mutendele],Some things in life come with certain privaledges ,we just have to understand, no wonder not every one will be a president ,typical of the animal farm ,where some animals must be more equal than others.I would rather suggest that the critiria under this is done is revised a bit like a standard house size for everyone or an equaivalent amount.

6. cont…

   You have become uncouth habit to spout rubbish on this blog is disgusting and repugnant and I have therefore made the decision to never engage you in any civilized form of debate on this blog that requires critical thinking and analysis and also sharing and spreading of information with you. You will therefore act as a free rider or witness to the civilized debates I will engage with other bloggers if at all you’ll read them as I am done with your repulsive opinions.

   From this day on-ward,
   -Never refer any of my usernames in any of your posts
   -Never read any of my comments
   -Never respond to any of my comments
   -Never address me anywhere on the LT blog

   If you have any form of civility left in you, you’ll adhere to my demands. Good day gentlemen/women.

7. How are former Heads of State benefits compare with other third world countries, commonwealth third countries countries in particular? Comments reserved for now.

8. I sympathise with you Mr Chanda K. My advice to you is that it is not practical to do what you have suggested. These are facilities that are provided to ex-presidents EVERYWHERE in the world, except that you do not hear about them because citizens in other societies (e.g. Tanzania) accept reality and spend more of their time working than negative blogging. I would suggest that you and I work hard to increase the size of the cake to share instead of exercising our brains in futility.

9. It makes no sense atall. The guy must have had a house before he became President and therefore should go back there like the American Presidents do[Bush has gone back to his Texas Ranch). We pay these guys collosal sums of money from which they can build mansions of their choice. Besides why do they all want to be crowded in Lusaka, instead of going where they were before- KK Chinsali, FTJ Ndola etc? One the reasons has already been mentioned but is worthy repeating- KAFUPI wanted to continue living a life of a KING after leaving Plot 1 hence the creation of these useless laws. If so the GRZ must buildn houses free for all lowly paid civil servants

10. #5 Motaim. You mean to say a man with 5 senses getting more than a USA president can fail to fend for himself? By the way did you know that KK built a very beautiful house in Chinsali which he occupied only for a few days after leaving office and came to rent a house in Lusaka’s Kalundu? These guys(KK and FTJ) are drawing big pensions and there fore can not fail to provide for themselves. All they need is a piece of land which they will get without queueing. USA Presidents go back to WHERE THEY CAME FROM AND AS FAR AS I KNOW NONE HASB HAD A HOUSE BUILT FOR THEM. Pay them pension ok

11. those are the privileges any Head Of State enjoys the world over.surely you dont expect a former head of state living in mandevu!infact you will even be pointing fingures at him.the incumbent president is president by law.if and when he ceases to be president he will automatically become former president,which,according to the constitution entitles him to such privileges.time served is not vital..why dont we say those who served 2 terms get 2 houses?i,however,dont agree a house in zed would cost K7billion!even some mansions in beverly hills dnt go for tht much!!

12. the whole remuneration system of top public officials is wrong. they never buy fuel, school fees for their kids is paid for, security paid for, free accommodation provided, talk time provided (Basically their existance is paid for). On top of that their benefits are paid without delay. this makes them lazy and they fail to see the actual cost of living or realise it’s rough in zed. these people need to learn to save and plan for their retirement like the rest of us

13. Very painful indeed. What these people need is a toyota corolla(otherwise buy their own expensive cars since the already earn alot) for each grz official, no allowances but an incertive for anything archieved, benefits of any kind restricted to marital family memebers only, etc, etc. A lot is being wasted pa zed instead of diverting that money to developing the country and improving zambian peoples life. These people are no different from Hitler serously!

14. Those that want to build themselves mega mansions on the backs of poor Zambians should pony up the cash from their own private accounts, not on govt credit card!!!

    Of course former heads of state are entitled to decent housing, but spending K7 billion on a single house! What are they trying to build; a replica of of Micheal Jackson’s’ “Never Never Land” ranch???

15. Capitalist – you are becoming a bit emotional take it easy man.

16. Chanda K. You may be as surprised as myself that the NCC – which is currently sitting – may not have moved an inch to try to address such mediocrity in our constitution simply because their sponsor, guess who, would like to be a beneficiary baron at the end of his tenure or indeed half tenure at the expense of millions of Zambians in dire of basic social services.

17. Firstly, this is not a place for insults you guys. That is ridiculous. We are discussing issues and matters of paramount. We are engaging in debate and analyzing matters. Please use this platform to connect……………

    Coming to the issue at hand – He cannot build his statesman house now. He must be building his house but not the statesmen house. The Former head of State must have a house as the Laws states and this thing is everywhere. Those are some of the benefits he is entitled to have.

    RB is using every means to get as much as he can now because he is going by 2011. That is what is worrying so much. There are a lot people who are suffering in Zambia. RB should stop this thing of putting money in his pocket. We will remove that money from his pockets in a very little while…

18. It seems Chanda K is not aware that living in Zambia is like animal farm situation. All animals are equal but others more equal than others. The bible states that the poor shall give even the little they have to the rich. Which ever way you look at in their eyes and thinking there is totally nothing wrong. Just to remind you abit. Last year the leaders went ahead to award themselves hefty salaries and allowances despite an outcry from the majority.

19. Mean while Dr Garg State Forensic Pathologist has not been paid his pension after 30 years of service. You all who are supporting this Act must realise that there is nothing that makes a president different from any guy walking along Cairo Road. Some one just sweet talks you into voting for him. After voting for him he suddenly becomes God and must be served all the the time. Yes they must be respected but not given divine reverence. Its time people became responsible for themselves. If rich countries leaders like Sweden can live like ordinary citizens, what about we a begging nation. No wonder some one told me that those beggars we see at Shoprite make more money than our domestic servants

20. Capitalist,you posted these exact comments on another story,they have got nothing to do with the article,iwe mudala uli normal mwati,can you talk about benefits of former heads of state OMG you is a nutter man

21. Of course the former president does not have to accept or receive the full benefits he or she is entitled to. Have any of the opposition leaders (whichever of them might become president) stated publicly that they would either change the law on benefits should they come to power or not accept them when they leave office?

22. I agree this whole thing should come to an end, once one mis manage his salary, allowances and his pension then let him stay in kalingalinga kabili nishi thats his choice. where do they take their savings, the gov do almost everything for them na tissue yamaka tabashita.

23. #10 Dejavu, tell these small boys and girls who were born in 1992 as they dont know the house this chap built in shambalakale farm where he was boasting of settling, in 1983 to mention a house worthy 12million kwacha was a dream. KK has built a white horse and yet the MMD thieves are spending another 7billion kwacha. chima nibaba

24. Number 5, 8, and 11, please do not peddle lies on this blog. Do not expose your ignorance. Which Western country builds houses for former Presidents? Look, bring salient points to the for instead of trying to mislead people on the blog. Zambia is a poor country and cannot afford to spend billions on a few individuals.

25. This law was made to benefit the already privileged people and exploit the weak therefore it is unjust and a daylight robbery thus it must be repealed as soon as possible. It is a shame on the people of zambia. Do you remember where Tony Blair went after he left office?

26. I agree we can provide security and a reasonable pension (hopefully they contribute to ZNPF and therefore are also entilled to the K20 a month most of our government retirees get) Thats it – a K7 billion house is obscene!! I think Mr Capitalist has had a mental breakdown. He should stop scouring the dictionary looking for long words.

27. let the law be appealed without delay,no wander everybody wants to be a president or extend teneurship.the salary they get can make them build houses.what about us we build from very little and hard earned wages over many years.if a president is not delivering he shall reap what he has planted.to hell with this law no wander certain leaders feel they own this country when in office.totally support this chanda brother certain laws are retroggressive

28. It just shows what a heartless bunch of so-called leaders we’ve produced so far in Zambia. No revolutionaries here for leaders. This is one of the reasons I find it difficult to give such leaders any respect. They fall far short of my idea of a true leader of a poor nation.

29. #9 and#26 are spot on. It is not just right that we should be building new houses when these people have already got houses.

30. I do not think that it is bad for a nation to give deserved honour to its own, who has rendered service at the highest level in the land. I support the rewarding of a former head of state with as much substance as possible. You were going to be the first one to advocate for the same if one of your own was some near that seat. Stop cheating the nation!

31. After ba iba then u build them a house how absurd!

32. H.E. is a really lucrative job. A big gratuity and a mansion, on top of a salary for life and jobs for the clan. All that for messing up the nation.Who would not go for the job?

33. Mr.Capitalist just create your own blog….

34. Ba Capitalist, analysis yenu on the issue nailubana oversize. It is common knowledge that RB has taken our country ten times backwards and building him a house costing K7 billion is an insult to the Zambian people. Only those receiving crumbs from under his table can support this. Cry my beloved country Zambia. I just pray that things do not degerate to the level where Zimbabwe reached.

35. Tony Blair is still servicing a mortgage for his house. UK is a very wealthy country with many billionaires. There are no such stupid laws to built houses for former leaders and pay for holidays abroad with their wives.. This African style politics is just backward. Here is Rupiah Banda with a bowl begging for aid, yet he is zooming around in a private jet. The Queen and the Prime Minister in UK do not have such luxuries. Give them mortgages to buy houses and let them make from writing their memoirs (as if there is anything to write about). Poor zambians, back to slavery………

36. These are things I blame Mwanawasa (MHSRIP) for

37. I think in the african set up where we have presidents coming from humble backgrounds an incentive like this should always be there coz the poor souls dont have organised institutions that bring them to power like is in america and britain.This institutions make sure that they screen the potentail candidates eg george bush by the texas oil tycoons,Obama by the organised democrat machine etc.These institutions make sure that only financially sound guys accend to the presidency.

38. Koma Nyama Soya Akonda kubabaisha, Lyonse Ni Bye Mundeke, Mu Twenty Eleven Naise tizamubabaishilatu. Bye Bye Polio

39. the problem wit Zambian mentality is you want to invest when you retire. its advisable to invest while you are in employement . it is the same thing withRB, he is building his house while in employment. Former SA president Thabo Mbeki had his house built while in office. no matter how bad it sounds but it makes sense

40. THE MAN IS ON HIS WAY OUT SO WHAT DO U EXPECT HE KNOWS A POOSIBLE JAIL SENTENCE LOOMS AND PROBABLY THE WRATH OF THE NEXT PRESIDENT SO HE IS PLAYING SMART.

41. My bleeds with pain!!! The littleman, the master dribbler, the engineer got away with it, and there he is laughing all the way..

    Super Ken told, that Kafupi was a crook…..

42. # 37 bobe or bwandi sorry i think you are right in a way unless the presidential salary was large enough to enable a sitting president to build a house ,the system must be maintained,if i give our own examples of kaunda coming in as teacher and chiluba as a unionist by profession these guys had humble backgroud or in short no personal wealth to boast of before becoming presidents unlike george bush who simply had to go bac to his texas farm,Obama to his home in chicago and tony blair his seven-bedroom mansion in Buckinghamshire.So probably this is not that practical in africa

43. #11 I agree with you but then no government official said one house will cost K7 billion. If I remember well this money is to be distributed over several aspects of these projects including architectural drawings. This is just a misleading statement by Chanda and is typical of the current culture in Zambia where someone says something silly and it is taken as gospel truth and propagated endlessly by certain media organisation until the gullible believe. The culture introduced by none other than Sata the aspiring occupant of Plot 1, and recently adopted by baby HH Sata.

44. #9, 10 Please share with us the packages for US presidents. We need to keep things in context as we discuss them. Of course it is unfortunate that currently there is no exception to the benefits, whether a president performed well while in office or not. You can only change that by changing the law. But as it this would be quite difficult and has been made even more difficult by some misguided party leaders boycotting the NCC instead of letting their vocal talents come to bear on other delegates.

45. In general it is always helpful to avoid relating things to ourselves when debating. That way you will not make the fatal mistake of comparing your pension to that of presidents.

46. # 44-Like every other former president today, Bush is entitled on Day 1 to an annual pension that, for him, will amount to $201,300 per year, plus an office allowance and other benefits that can boost the tab to $1 million a year, a recent Congressional Research Service report found.But the pension will be pocket change for Bush. He also will hit the lucrative speaking circuit to “replenish the ol’ coffers,”.
    The most expensive ex-president today is Bill Clinton, whose taxpayer allowance in 2008 topped $1,162,000 – or close to the combined total of Jimmy Carter ($518,300) and President George H. W. Bush ($786,300), according to the Congressional Research.

47. Yes U.S. presidents are entitled to a pension but not a mansion. These guys need to build their own homes before becoming presidents.

48. I see where the author is coming from, but there are a few points to note:
    1. The President is commander in chief of Zambia’s security wings. This knowledge is very important to leave such a person destitute.
    2. There would be a great temptation to embezzle funds if nothing was provided.
    3. A former President may retire but he remains in the service the state.
    4. Acts performed as President may displease certain people who may seek revenge and bump him off, hence security.
    5. He remains an ambassador for the country.
    Perhaps the lavish houses may not be necessary, but housing is still needed, otherwise we will have only the rich like HH becoming President. That is not democratic.

49. Former Presidents should not be paid their benefits until ALL the people who retired during their term of office have been paid their benefit. The same should apply to MPs. Else we’ll come after them.

50. Boys lets petition the UN and the EU over this. When I wrote that article mind you its not only the house of the president that has been approved but that of the speaker. Why should leaders have such previlleges when the masses are sleeping on empty stomach and in shanty compounds. I was going to agree to build a president a house if they can managed to get rid of the shanty compounds. That could be herious, just like a sportsmans who becomes victorous and he is rewarded for his services. The law should be repealed and NCC should look at that. Is it because the man is the one to ascert his signature so we have to worship him God forbids!

51. #4 & #6 Capitalist. The article is talking about something sensible, an issue you are supposed to be contributing to not the tripe you have written you i di ot. You are a coward who has put a white flag up because you know your contributions are based on bootlicking and not objectie at all. Bu colour bobe.

52. #4 & #6 Capitalist. The article is talking about something sensible, an issue you are supposed to be contributing to not the tripe you have written you i di ot. You are a coward who has put a white flag up because you know your contributions are based on bootlicking and not objective at all. Bu colour bobe.

53. Bangwele mulelala bwangu these days why? Even that i di ot called Maestro He he he cow ingombe is no where to be seen now.

54. This issue is good for debate but that’s all. I personally think that our nation has more serious detriments to worry about than building a house for each retired president. We have to focus on issues that will bring long-term development & progress to Zambia.

55. Ba RB MULI MBUSHI, you’ve only been in office a year and a Mansion is in the works already, ALREADY. Ba MMD, ba kolwe imwe learn to do the right thing. Ba Pushi,

56. Ba Beyonce wapa Zed mwafulwa sana ka? Ifinama ubwingi mwalumbula…

57. Let them build, we will get the mansions back through international courts.

58. just turn it into a museum

59. #56 Nine Chale, Nafulwa sana inama sha mpanga shatu chusha pa fula.

60. This world is so unfair. Someone plunders your economy all the time they rule. When they finally get out you still have to award them such huge benefits that the country is left bleeding. 

61. President RUPIAH BANDA has made changes to Government.

    Mr BANDA has promoted deputy Minister of Defence Dr. EUSTARKIO KAZONGA, as Local Government Minister, to replace the late BEN TETAMASHIMBA.

    President BANDA has also appointed Chitambo Member of Parliament Dr. SOLOMON MUSONDA, as new deputy Minister of Health , taking over from MWENDOI AKAKANDELWA, who has been moved to the Ministry of Energy and Water Development in the same capacity.

    Kalabo Member of Parliament SIKWIBELE MWAPELA, is the new deputy Minister of Western Province, replacing ADONS MUFALALI , who has been moved to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

    The President has moved North-Western Province Minister JOSEPH MULYATA, to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, while DANIEL…

62. 7 billion is equivalent to approximately $1.4 million .

63. #61 Who cares? They are all dead wood. Good for nothing th ievs.

64. #54 Sometimes I think you are just a WUM. What else can be serious than this? If building a house for a person who spends no ngwee on himself and his family for 27 years, 10 years and eerrmmm 1 year is not serious then you have to have your st u pid head checked.

65. #42 Mo Taim. I see that you are missing something. Chiluba apart from being Chairman General for ZCTU(highly paying) he was also Credit Manager for Diacarb(Z) also highly paying. He also has(had) a two storey house on Kabinga Avenue, Kansenshi, Ndola. While in office he manged to build his then girlfriend Regina Chifunda Mwanza a mansion in the same area. As for KK, you should just go to Chinsali, Shambale Kale what a waste the once magnificent mansion has become. The money our presidents get while in and out of office can feed 100 average income Zambian families. Young ones please do not be misled by. FTJ Veteran and Co. they are paid to peddle lies on behalf of GRZ/MMD. FTJ boasted that he was not a pauper at his first press conference in 1992.

66. Chanda K. Please learn to write intelligently. You can not argue a reference point (CAP 15 in this case) without citing what the reference points describes. Surely section 9. simply says “A furnished house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice and ownership of the house shall be transferred to him.” It does not say the house is only built when he or she vacates office, it says a house will be provided which surely means it has to be there by the time he or she vacates office. And office can be one year! Let us blame the people we put in parliament and not the presients for bad laws.

67. Mbinji Mufalo says:
    November 26, 2009 at 8:01 am

    Chanda K. Please learn to write intelligently. You can not argue a reference point (CAP 15 in this case) without citing what the reference points describes. Surely section 9. simply says “A furnished house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice and ownership of the house shall be transferred to him.” It does not say the house is only built when he or she vacates office, it says a house will be provided which surely means it has to be there by the time he or she vacates office. And office can be one year! Let us blame the people we put in parliament and not the presidents for bad laws.

68. Mbinji ulichipuba. Chanda K is contesting the need for the idea we chinangwawe. Chi Capitalist. Coward.

69. Mbinji ulici puba. Chanda K is contesting the need for the idea we chinangwawe. Chi Capitalist. Coward.

70. HERE ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT

    ,,, FOLLOW TH LINK>>>>>>http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/109502.pdf

71. # 69. You are a tragedy and travesty of reason. A pity.

72. Mr. Chanda K you can cry me a river but this law will never be changed!! Remember what happened to KK after loosing his job? He had to go to Shambalakale!! After that he had to be offered where to stay by some good Samaritan. Is this what you want to happen to a former Presidents? Hell no!! Stop having poverty mentality! some things cost money and democracy is one such thing. Zambians chose to change presidents every 5 years so they should be prepared to shoulder the cost!! I personally believe it is even better to build the house for a president before he leaves office to avoid renting him expensive houses like it has happened with Maureen and family. RB should be commended for thinking ahead because whether you like it or not he will one day become former president so why not prepare??

73. 71.
    Booolae: What is wrong with Shambalakale? May be you are too young to know the background of all what you have alluded to: The house at Shambalakale was built by KK himself as his home after leaving office. Nobody forced him to do so and more over he did that as an example of the back to LAND POLICY. If KK had wanted he could have made himself a house in LUSAKA and would therefore become “destitute”. Ka Chiluba has a 2 storey house in Ndola. I have been there. It is not a simple shanty it is nice place. So mwaiche read all blogs instead of just expressing your opinion without basis.

74. As a country let us not base our decisions on the poor!!! If we do we are doomed!! Even the lord Jesus Christ once said that and I quote,”You will always have the poor, but you will not always have me” Even the most developed countries still have poor people. If India said lets first lift everyone before we start space exploration they would never do it in many years to come! But they are doing it even with many poor people in their country. If American thought the same way you and I would not be blogging right now. Think rich and you will be rich!!

75. #73 You have side stepped #72. You are deliberately missing the point

76. # 67 deja vu you are right in way but the fact is ,i see nothing wrong in a building a former president a house.Bush for example ,despite the system in america not providing him with a car and house is still consuming about one million us dollars of the tax payers money because he is still considered as president coz he needs an office,secrete service,medical facilities e.tc. which in our case is equivalent to the same amout(7 billion kwacha)of money that can be used to build a house for a former president. And once this house is built it is for future.Mind you he gets about $ 200,000 salary so it is just normal that if the situation was the opposite he can still use it for renting a big house in hollyhood area.So lets not demonise these pipo they deserve this things.

77. NOBODY IS AGUEING THAT FORMER PRESIDENT SHOULDNT GET A HOUSE, PLOT, BENEFITS OR WHATEVER BUT GIVE AND GET WHAT IS IN ACCODANCE WITH YOUR COUNTRYS ECONOMICAL SITUATION PERIOD!!! MORE IS JUST PURE SELFISHNESS

78. Chanda K, i hope you are reading this, the point is to do investigative reporting. like ok ,GRZ are saying the theif FJT is entitled to a holiday with his spouse, but we have reports that he is there with assiatants. Who is paying for those assistants ? dig deeper. Be more creative in your reports.

79. This needs to be reviewed quickly as seen by RBs actions. In fact if I had my way the value of these former presidential palaces should be limited to double the value house the former head of state owned prior to taking up office, and it must be in the town he leaved in. And when you see people of the likes of Grace Mugabe watch this space her taste for extravangancy will rub off RBs clan.

80. its only right that all former presidents are taken care of in retirement, Zambians. Let that be the law to avoid the chiluba issues of denying KK, the Grey Zulu’s their just rewards for sacrificing for their nation. if we want to build a constitutional democracy, let it be so. stop being so petty. And Mbinji is right, the writer must state what the law reads, he can’t start spewing words mid-air

81. What do you expect when someone is to decided his own pension, it will ofcourse cover all the children and grands.You may urgue that its not president chiluba who made th pckage but remember someone who reports to him or appoited by him did(a yes sir).Su.tupid things happen out they so diffiicult to accept its a country not a club these guys are running.

82. Guys,
    Correction: this law was passed by Kaunda and NOT Kafupi wa Ufi. Kafupi (alias Chiluba) refused to implement it, in other words, denied Kaunda not only his pension but his “entitlement’ (i.e, building a house). This law was only implemented during The Elephant’s reign (Muwelewele).

83. Banda Ni Banda. It is better I concentrate on the performance of Tupolopolo in the on going CECAFA Soccer tournament.

84. its normal for former presidents to be honoured by building them houses but like Mr Chanda said, they should be cost- effective when doing it.Spending a lot of taxpayers money to build expensive homes for these presidents will only be living us as a nation handicapped.it will be better if at all the governments could be building homes for civil servants as well in some form of loans.

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