News / National
Joice Mujuru cannot reject Govt pension - Charamba
20 Sep 2015 at 12:11hrs | Views
Government has told former vice president Joice Mujuru that under the constitution she cannot willy-nilly reject pension and benefits entitled to her.
Government spokesperson George Charamba said pension are a constitutional a requirement and Mujuru is entitled to one. Mujuru has reportedly turned down a government pension and retirement benefits offered to her by President Robert Mugabe, claiming she does not want to be politically tied to Zanu PF, an indicator she could be ready to return to mainstream politics.
Said Charamba: "Our constitution makes pension an entitlement of the former President or former Vice President or a retired president or retired vice president.
"It's not a discretionary matter, its mandatory regardless of the circumstances that would have left, even though we know that the vice president was fired' said Charamba.
"The fact that you have served in the office of President means that you are entitled to a pension automatically after you leave offce. It is not a matter of discretion by the Government, Zanu PF or the President-it's a constitutional requirement,".
The pension offer came eight months after Mujuru was booted out of both government and Zanu PF together with more than 140 top party officials on allegations of plotting to kill Mugabe.
The benefits, as outlined in Statutory Instrument 86 of 2015, published on August 7, include personal security, medical aid, travel allowances and domestic workers paid for by the State.
According to the Government Gazette, which political analysts said was bound to have implications on Mujuru's political life, had among other things, a domestic worker, a gardener, two drivers, a private secretary, a close security unit officer, two aide-de-camp officers, an office, a Mercedes Benz vehicle and a colour television set.
The law states that Mujuru would lose her terminal benefits if she were to be employed privately or as a public official and the rejection of the pension could be indicating she is plotting a return to public life.
Government spokesperson George Charamba said pension are a constitutional a requirement and Mujuru is entitled to one. Mujuru has reportedly turned down a government pension and retirement benefits offered to her by President Robert Mugabe, claiming she does not want to be politically tied to Zanu PF, an indicator she could be ready to return to mainstream politics.
Said Charamba: "Our constitution makes pension an entitlement of the former President or former Vice President or a retired president or retired vice president.
"It's not a discretionary matter, its mandatory regardless of the circumstances that would have left, even though we know that the vice president was fired' said Charamba.
"The fact that you have served in the office of President means that you are entitled to a pension automatically after you leave offce. It is not a matter of discretion by the Government, Zanu PF or the President-it's a constitutional requirement,".
The pension offer came eight months after Mujuru was booted out of both government and Zanu PF together with more than 140 top party officials on allegations of plotting to kill Mugabe.
The benefits, as outlined in Statutory Instrument 86 of 2015, published on August 7, include personal security, medical aid, travel allowances and domestic workers paid for by the State.
According to the Government Gazette, which political analysts said was bound to have implications on Mujuru's political life, had among other things, a domestic worker, a gardener, two drivers, a private secretary, a close security unit officer, two aide-de-camp officers, an office, a Mercedes Benz vehicle and a colour television set.
The law states that Mujuru would lose her terminal benefits if she were to be employed privately or as a public official and the rejection of the pension could be indicating she is plotting a return to public life.
Source - Sunday Mail additional reporting by Bulawayo24
