No gratuity for former Malawi VP Kachali
Former Malawi vice-president Khumbo Kachali has not received his gratuity over two months after leaving office.Kachali confirmed the issue, but was calm with the situation.
“It’s something that is not bothering me much because things are not easy when there is change of government,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.
As former vice president, he is supposed to receive pension till his death, according to Chapter 2:02 of Presidents (Salaries and Benefits) of the Laws of Malawi.
The Nation has learnt that since the former veep left office, he has not received any money from government.
“If there was a financial problem, at least government should have been giving him upkeep allowance considering that he is not receiving salary as member of Parliament [MP],” a source told The Nation.
Kachali contested and won as MP for Mzimba South West Constituency. He chose to be receiving vice-presidency pension as opposed to an MP’s salary.
Our source disclosed that even the workers at his house are not receiving their pay from government and that Kachali has been paying them from his pocket. He said as a former vice-president, Kachali should not be struggling to live due to government’s failure to give out what is due to him.
On his part, Kachali said: “It is true that I am not getting any gratuity and that my workers are not being paid their salaries. But that should not be put like I am desperate because there has been change of government and not everything might be in order.”
He, however, added that government has provided him a temporary house in Area 10 in Lilongwe while it is looking for a permanent one.
Clerk to Cabinet Ernest Kantchentche said the issue of gratuity falls under State House. But for the workers, he said government is waiting for their particulars.
“We are supposed to be provided with the names that have been employed so that they are put on the payroll. That has not been done and we are just waiting,” said Kantchentche.
But Kachali said the names were already submitted and that he would do so if there is need to re-submit.
On Kachali’s gratuity, State House press secretary Frederick Ndala Jnr said it is the responsibility of the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) not State House.
OPC spokesperson Arthur Chipenda said he was on holiday and Acting Chief Secretary to Cabinet Willie Samute could not be reached on his mobile number.
Currently, Malawi has three former vice-presidents. Apart from Kachali, others are Cassim Chilumpha and Justin Malewezi.
