Lungu has “amassed so much wealth” – Mulongoti

As President Lungu was pictured handing former President Rupiah Banda the key to his retirement home, Mike Mulongoti questioned the sensitivity of parading around luxury mansions while Zambia remains a poor country.

“We don’t want them to be ignored, but you must consider the bigger picture and especially when you parade it like that to everybody and you go and tell me that we are a poor country but you are able to look at our former presidents in luxury,” Mulongoti stated. 

Mulongoti also questioned whether President Lungu is in need of a pension at all when he retires given his wealth accumulation during his years in office.

In 2016 there was speculation as to Lungu’s wealth accumulation after his declared assets ahead of the 2016 elections were valued at K23.7 million, up from K13 million ahead of the 2015 polls given that his salary stood at K414,406.

“We must remind Mr Lungu that when you came, yes you needed help from the State but over the few years, you have amassed so much wealth that you don’t need support from the State. You don’t need a pension,” Mulongoti added.

Mulongoti further challenged the inconsistency of treatment, noting that Dr Kenneth Kaunda lives much more modestly despite having been a freedom fighter and having served for 27 years.

Earlier this year the Zambian Observer included President Lungu in their list of the richest ten Zambians, writing: “As at the end of December, 2017, President Edgar has moved remarkably to the second spot of the richest people in Zambia with a net worth of around 400 million dollars. His source of wealth is his investment with Scania trucks and holding majority shares with undisclosed top companies in Zambia.”