Nevers chose pension over politics, says Kavindele
By Thandizo Banda
FORMER vice president Enock Kavindele says Dr Nevers Mumba does not have a choice but to abandon partisan politics to keep his government benefits.
Kavindele said Dr Nevers Mumba has chosen pension over politics.
Commenting on the decision by Dr Mumba to quit active politics and resign from his political party, Kavindele said he did not want to lose his benefits if he continued in active politics.
“Both Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Edgar Lungu lost their benefits after returning to active politics. I’m not privy to the other reasons Dr Mumba has to quit politics, but obviously, and primarily, it is to do with benefits. He had no way out but to relinquish his partisan involvement to continue enjoying benefits from government,” he said.
Kavindele urged Dr Mumba to continue advising and engaging government quietly without going public.
Kavindele described the benefits entitled to former vice presidents as generous compared to what other citizens who may have served the country diligently and much longer get.
He thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for taking the issue of former vice presidents’ emoluments to Parliament for ratification.
“The benefits are okay and enough. It is two motor vehicles, security personnel and 80 per cent of a current serving vice president’s salary, one trip abroad and two local trips fully financed by government,” he said.
Kavindele advised other former presidents and vice-presidents to stay away from active politics if they desired to continue benefiting.
On dialogue over the post-election impasse, he said the law should be strictly followed and take its course.
On Tuesday, Dr Mumba resigned from the leadership of the New Nation Party (NNP), paving the way for his departure from active partisan politics.
