I’m penniless, says katopola

Former Clerk of Parliament (CoP) Matilda Katopola says she is penniless and going through psychological torture following her forced leave in 2012 and subsequent dismissal.

Katopola sued government in the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) for constructive dismissal and the court found government to be in the wrong.

Her case was scheduled to come for assessment hearing yesterday, but has been shifted to this Friday.

According to Katopola’s summary of benefits for 10 years, interdiction period is pegged at K71 million ($142 000) from February 1 2015 to January 31 2020.

She is also demanding K311 million and from February 1 2020 to January 31 2025, Katoplola is seeking over K361 million ($722 000).

Reads her witness statement seen by The Nation: “Considering the position which I held together with the conditions, political sensitiveness and benefits attached to the post, it will be impossible for me to secure an alternative permanent employment at that level.

“I am jobless, penniless and going through a lot of psychological torture due to the damage the respondent has caused to my public image after serving selflessly with commitment and dedication though under political pressure and intimidation.”

Further, Katopola said government’s conduct has ruined her career and lessened any prospects for a successful future path.

She said: “My dismissal followed my arrest at the instigation of the respondent, which was politically motivated and the criminal charges are still pursued by the respondents, a factor that has made it impossible for me to mitigate my loss.”

In her court appearances last year, Katopola declined to return to her position even after former president Joyce Banda refused to fire her because the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and the then Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda had already made the decision to fire her.

She further testified that she only got the letter to return to work after she took the matter to court.

Since her appointment in 2005 by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika as the first female CoP, Katopola faced pressure from some members of Parliament (MPs) to leave office.

Sources said at the time that she became unpopular among the legislators for reportedly introducing strict financial controls.

Katopola faced criminal charges relating to the K87 000 ($174) tender award to her personal company, Monick Trends, for printing and binding services.

On May 5 2012, according to court documents, Katopola received an SMS (short message service) from then chief secretary to the government Bright Msaka inviting her to a meeting on May 7 where she was told that then president Joyce Banda was not ready to work with her.

During the meeting, Katopola was given several proposals, including that she be redeployed as law commissioner, director of public prosecutions (DPP) or ambassador in the Foreign Service.

No reasons were offered for her supposed removal, but Katopola rejected all proposals put on the table.

Instead, she preferred termination of her employment in accordance with existing conditions of service at the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Between June 2012 and October 2014, government paid Katopola an estimated K17 million ($34 000).

At the time she was sent on forced leave pending termination of her services in May 2012, Katopola was getting a monthly salary of K736 752 ($1 473.50) plus benefits, according to documents earlier seen by The Nation.

Her other benefits included an institutional vehicle, fuel and school fees for her children.

She continued to get this salary until she was interdicted on half pay in June 2013.