LUSAKA – Zambia’s ex-President, Edgar Lungu, has taken legal action to challenge the withdrawal of his retirement benefits after his recent return to active politics.
Lungu, who served as the country’s president until last month, faced the removal of his retirement privileges and benefits as a consequence of reentering the political arena.
According to court documents obtained by the News Diggers newspaper, Lungu, represented by his legal team, argues that the government’s decision constitutes a violation of his fundamental rights.
Edgar Lungu raises concerns
In the filed documents, Lungu points out that other individuals who previously held high public offices and subsequently retired did not encounter similar restrictions.
The government’s response, as conveyed by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, rejects Lungu’s plea.
Kabesha contends that reinstating retirement benefits while the former president is actively involved in politics would contradict the law, as reported by local outlet Diamond TV.
Last month, Zambia’s government took the unprecedented step of revoking Lungu’s retirement benefits, resulting in the closure of his office, withdrawal of government-provided vehicles, and the reassignment of staff and security details.
Lungu’s legal challenge raises questions about the intersection of political engagement and retirement benefits, creating a legal battleground that will likely be closely watched in Zambia.
