27 December 2011
THE Government has advised former Republican president Rupiah Banda to choose between clinging on to the MMD presidency and losing out on his emoluments.
Chief Government spokesperson, Given Lubinda said Mr Banda should stop ‘shedding crocodile tears’ because he had an option of choosing between remaining in active politics or retiring so that he could access his benefits.
Mr Lubinda said it was a pity that despite being a president of Zambia for three years, Mr Banda could not correctly interpret the Benefits of Former Presidents Act.
The Act states that a former president who engages in active politics cannot be deemed to have retired, hence his benefits could not be paid.
Mr Banda on Sunday said it was not fair for the Government to discontinue paying him his emoluments, insisting that he was not involved in active politics.
He said he was merely holding on to the MMD presidency to facilitate a smooth transition while the former ruling party prepared to hold its extraordinary convention in April next year.
However, Mr Lubinda said it was shocking that Mr Banda could not interpret such a simple and clear law concerning his emoluments.
“He has to choose whether to give up politics and get his benefits or remain as president of the MMD and lose out because that is what the law stipulates.”
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Zambia: Choose Between Benefits and MMD, Rupiah BandaTold