Lies and Deception, Ex-Government Workers Slam UPND for Misleading the Nation
The Former Government Employees Association of Zambia has come out guns blazing, tearing apart claims made by UPND Media Director Mark Simuwe that government has cleared all outstanding arrears owed to retirees.
Speaking in a no-holds-barred telephone interview with Mafken News, Association Vice Chairperson Patrick Mapulanga described Mr. Simuwe’s remarks as “a blatant lie designed to mislead the nation and cover up government’s continued neglect of its senior citizens.”
“It is outrageous and deeply insulting for Mr. Simuwe to declare that retirees have been paid when over 3,000 of our members are still wallowing in poverty, waiting for their dues,” Mr. Mapulanga charged. “Let him face the people he claims have been paid and explain why they are still struggling to survive.”
The Association has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to stop the circus and urgently intervene. “Enough is enough. We are tired of political spin while our members die without medicine, without food, and without dignity. The President must direct the relevant ministries to stop playing games with people’s lives and release the money owed.”
Mr. Mapulanga warned that retirees across the country are running out of patience and will soon take action if their voices continue to be ignored.
“What we are seeing is a government more interested in managing perceptions than solving problems. But no amount of propaganda can erase the truth thousands of former civil servants are still unpaid, forgotten, and betrayed.”
May 06, 2025
Credit: Mafken FM Zambia by Morgan Chomba
©️ KUMWESU
The issue of retirees must be re looked or be revisited.I feel some one is not doing his work properly.The government has been releasing money to pay retirees but the fact remains that a lot more are not yet paid.The one thing that must be understood is that this is not pension, the former workers are demanding.They are demanding for pension difference.It was discovered that the calculations used for benefits was not the right one and the former workers were not paid the right pension amount.The retirees were in about three groups.The first one was on classified daily employees CDEs, who were retrenched.The second was the volunteers who were willing to be relieved of work .The third ones were retired on national interest due to dissolution of office or were not absorbed in the new structure after the restructuring program.The government then MMD entered in an understanding to restructure so that the wage bill is reduced.The European union agreed with government to help in this initiative.It was agreed that the retirees were to be paid handsomely so that they don’t become destitutes.The opposite was the case.The amount expected now is more than what was paid that’s why they call it pension.For the same of clarifications at the government complex there is office for the retirees association on fourth floor for those that were retired on national interest.In all fairness it would be better for government to dialogue and enter in a more holistic agreement with the retirees and their lawyers.It has taken closer to twenty five years now and some former workers are still waiting.These were civil servants who worked tirelessly for government both day and night.The Ministers of Finance, Justice and the Attorney General must deal with this matter effectively.President Hakainde Hichilema doesn’t want people to suffer.Thats why he keeps on telling the youths and students to send details of those retirees who were not paid to his office.This matter must be handled without political sentiments because if any thing the UPND found this unconcluded.