By Chisomo Phiri
A group of civil service pensioners on Tuesday begun a vigil at the Accountant General’s offices, demanding the government pay their long-overdue pension arrears.
The retirees claim the government has been making promises since 2021 without fulfillment, leaving them in dire financial situations.
According to the group’s Publicity Secretary Beni Mitochi, the pensioners have suffered for far too long and felt compelled to take drastic action.
Said Maotcha:”We have been waiting patiently for years, but nothing has come.
“The government keeps promising us payments, yet we see no results. People are struggling to survive, and some have even passed on while waiting for their money.”
Responding to the matter,Accountant General Henry Mphasa acknowledged the pensioners’ plight and assured them that progress is being made to resolve the issue.
He said the government has secured K70 billion from local banks to clear the pension arrears, with K16 billion already disbursed and another K8 billion to be released soon.
The pensioners’ demands come amid concerns over the management of civil service pensions in the country.
