The Zambian government maintains it acted legally in canceling former President Edgar Lungu’s post-office benefits after he resumed active political participation last Fall.
In court filings this week, Deputy Cabinet Secretary Dr. Oliver Kalabo forcefully rebutted Lungu’s claims that withdrawing his privileges breached constitutional law.
Kalabo highlighted amendments to the law governing former president pensions, which unambiguously stipulate such payments cannot be furnished if the ex-leader re-enters politics. With Lungu openly resuming political activities in late 2022, Kalabo insisted he automatically forfeited all state pension entitlements.
“The words used in the statute are plain and…the literal rule of interpretation is to be used,” the Deputy Secretary argued, asserting the government strictly followedprotocol in Lungu’s case.
Lungu initiated legal action in 2023 after the state informed him it would halt his presidential retirement benefits based on ineligibility triggered by his renewed partisan participation.
But Dr. Kalabo maintained the Zambian government acted properly and constitutionally, simply enforcing provisions that clearly rendered the ex-head of state ineligible to continue drawing taxpayer-funded allowances.
State lawyers urged the High Court to dismiss Lungu’s lawsuit entirely given the apparent legal firmness behind the decision to cut off the former president’s benefits. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks on the closely-watched pension dispute.
