Lungu Tells Former Ministers To Repay Salaries

President Edgar Lungu has instructed cabinet ministers and deputy ministers who stayed in office after Parliament was dissolved in 2016 to pay back their salaries and allowances, in accordance with the Constitutional Court’s ruling. 

In a statement to the media, President Lungu said the court’s decision should be respected, regardless of party affiliation. 

“We all must respect the rule of law because no one is above the law. Therefore, the ruling of the Constitutional Court must be complied with, ” the President said

 Earlier this week the court ruled that ministers had 30 days to pay back the money or face legal action. It follows an earlier decision in August 2016 which ruled that 64 cabinet ministers and their deputies had stayed in office illegally after dissolution of parliament and had continued to draw salaries in the run up to the elections.

In September this year the amount owed by former officials was reduced from K4.7 million to K4.2 million. This was the result of a correction to the figure concerning repatriation allowances.