Nevers chose pension over politics, says Kavindele

Former Vice-President Enock Kavindele says Dr Nevers Mumba left partisan politics because it was the only way to keep his government benefits. Dr Mumba’s exit comes as the opposition regroups after the elections and the NRPUP defends its list for the new…

Former Vice-President Enock Kavindele says Dr Nevers Mumba left partisan politics because it was the only way to keep his government benefits. Dr Mumba’s exit comes as the opposition regroups after the elections and the NRPUP defends its list for the new proportional-representation seats in Parliament.

Dr Mumba resigned as leader of the New Nation Party (NNP) on Tuesday, clearing the way for him to leave active partisan politics.

Mr Kavindele, himself a former vice-president, said the decision came down to benefits. Two former Heads of State, he noted, had lost theirs by returning to the political arena.

“Both Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Edgar Lungu lost their benefits after returning to active politics,” he said.

“I’m not privy to the other reasons Dr Mumba has to quit politics, but obviously, and primarily, it is to do with benefits. He had no way out but to relinquish his partisan involvement to continue enjoying benefits from government.”

Mr Kavindele set out what former vice-presidents receive and said the package was adequate.

“The benefits are okay and enough. It is two motor vehicles, security personnel and 80 per cent of a current serving vice president’s salary, one trip abroad and two local trips fully financed by government,” he said.

He called the package generous compared with what other citizens receive, including people who may have served the country diligently for much longer. He thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for taking the issue of former vice-presidents’ emoluments to Parliament for ratification.

Mr Kavindele said leaving party politics did not mean Dr Mumba had to stay silent on national affairs. He urged him to keep advising and engaging the Government, but quietly rather than in public.

He admitted he did not know all of Dr Mumba’s reasons for quitting, but was in no doubt that benefits were the main one. He also had a wider message for others in the same position. Former presidents and vice-presidents who want to keep their benefits, he said, should stay away from active politics.

Asked about calls for dialogue over the post-election impasse, Mr Kavindele said the law should be strictly followed and allowed to take its course.

NRPUP defends its list

Dr Mumba’s exit is not the only opposition story this week. The NRPUP is defending the list it submitted for the new proportional-representation seats in the National Assembly.

The party, whose presidential candidate was Brian Mundubile, is one of only two that qualified for the 40 seats created under the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025. The other is the ruling UPND.

NRPUP leader Ezra Tembo said the party expects 16 seats in the National Assembly. He rejected claims on social media that Mr Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were not consulted on the list. The two, he said, contributed to it.

The UPND confirmed on Monday that it had also submitted its list. Media director Mark Simuuwe said the ruling party was waiting for feedback from the electoral body.

Seats were shared in proportion to the valid votes each party’s presidential candidate won nationally. Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga said the allocation followed “a quota-based formula prescribed by law”.

In the National Assembly, 20 of the seats are reserved for women, 15 for young people and five for persons with disabilities.

The calendar ahead

Candidates from both parties appear before the ECZ today to have their lists validated. The new members register at Parliament tomorrow and take the oath on Monday, September 21. Each must present ZAQA-verified qualifications, a passport and proof of residency where applicable.

Presiding officers will be elected on October 2. President Hichilema opens the 14th National Assembly on October 9.

Dr Mumba will not be part of that new political line-up. He has given up the NNP leadership and, going by Mr Kavindele’s account, kept the benefits of a former vice-president.