THE Public Service Commission (PSC) has said former Vice
President Phelekezela Mphoko will only be paid his pension in local currency
and should not expect any other benefits.
This follows an application lodged at the High Court by Mr
Mphoko, through his lawyer, Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners seeking an
order directing the Government, through the PSC, to award him more than US$300
000 in benefits and monthly pension payouts.
In papers before the Bulawayo High Court, Chief Secretary
to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, PSC secretary Ambassador
Jonathan Wutawunashe, Salary Services Bureau (SSB) paymaster and PSC pensions
master, K. Makiwa, were cited as respondents.
He is seeking an order directing the respondents to pay him
US$308 000 or the equivalent in local currency at the interbank rate.
In response to Mr Mphoko’s demands, the Government, through
the Civil Division in the Attorney-General’s Office, said it will pay his
pension in local currency.
The letter, addressed to Mr Ncube, stated that Mr Mphoko
will not receive any other benefits that he is claiming.
“We take note of your application filed on 4 October, 2019
and served on the Public Service Commission on 8 October, 2019,” reads part of
the letter signed by Ms Rejoice Hove on behalf of the director of the Civil
Division.
“However, our client’s attitude on the matter is that they
will pay your client pension only as provided for in the Constitution, and no
other benefits.
“Furthermore, the payment will be effected in Zimbabwe
dollars in accordance with the country’s laws.”
According to the letter, the amount for Mr Mphoko’s pension
will be subjected to computation by the Pensions Office in consultation with
the SSB.
The AG’s Office indicated that it will file opposing
affidavits on behalf of the respondents despite being out of time in terms of
High Court Rules.
In his founding affidavit contained in the application, Mr
Mphoko said having joined the civil service in October 1981, he was entitled to
his benefits and pension.
“This is an application for a declaratur to declare
unconstitutional the withholding of my pension by the respondents and for
ancillary relief,” he said.
“I joined the civil service in October 1981 and served as
an Ambassador of Zimbabwe to various countries.
“On December 10, 2014, I was appointed to the position of
Vice President of the country, a position I held until I was removed from
office in November 2017.”
Mr Mphoko argued that in terms of section 102(3) of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe, he was entitled to a pension which is equivalent to
the salary of a sitting Vice President.
“From the time I left office, I have not received a single
dime in respect of my pension,” he said.
Mr Mphoko said despite approaching Dr Sibanda to assist him
secure his benefits, there has been no joy, prompting him to approach the
courts for a declaratur.
He said in the event that salaries are adjusted before the
order being sought is granted, the respondents should pay him at the prevailing
interbank rate. Herald
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