Zambian President, Levy Mwanawasa, has attacked his predecessor Frederick Chiluba for having awarded ”outrageous benefits” to his defence chiefs just one day before he left office, the state media said on Friday.
Chiluba reportedly approved new benefits for the now retired army commanders that included a monthly pension of 80% of their salary, a free vehicle, the right to buy the Mercedes Benz cars they used while in office, an aide, two domestic workers, two security staff and other allowances.
Mwanawasa said he had been left in a difficult position by Chiluba over the retirement packages because the country had no resources to meet them, the Times of Zambia report said.
”This directive was, to say the least, mischievous and I consider it a trap for the incoming administration,” the paper quoted Mwanawasa as saying.
”I have declared my intention to control fiscal spending, and now I feel duty-bound to re-negotiate these conditions of service,” Mwanawasa said.
Mwanawasa said Chiluba signed the directive to increase the benefits of the ex-military chiefs a day before his term of office expired in December, the Times of Zambia said.
Mwanawasa retired three defence commanders on Wednesday and now has to pay them the benefits authorised by Chiluba before he left office. – Sapa-AFP