President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration introduced retirement benefits for former vice presidents after discovering that the office had no post-service welfare provisions despite its constitutional significance. Speaking during the funeral service of former…

President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration introduced retirement benefits for former vice presidents after discovering that the office had no post-service welfare provisions despite its constitutional significance.

Speaking during the funeral service of former Vice-President Dr. Guy Scott at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, President Hichilema said it was unfair that individuals who had served as the country’s second-highest office holders were not provided for after leaving office.

The President said that upon assuming office in 2021, he found that while former judges and former Speakers of the National Assembly were entitled to retirement benefits, former vice presidents had no similar legal provisions.

“One of the things that when we won the election in 2021, I realised that vice presidents in this country were never looked after post their service in office. Just totally ignored,” President Hichilema said.

He explained that after raising the matter, he was informed that the law did not provide for retirement benefits for former vice presidents, prompting him to seek legal guidance from the Attorney General.

President Hichilema said he initially appointed former vice presidents as Presidential Special Envoys under existing constitutional provisions to enable the country to continue benefiting from their experience and expertise.

He said 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 that the knowledge and experience of former national leaders continued to contribute to the country’s development.

President Hichilema said 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,” he said.