FORMER President Robert Mugabe, who resigned from power under pressure from the Zimbabwean army and his own ruling ZANU-PF party in November 2017, says the new administration under Emmerson Mnangagwa has not paid him his terminal benefits.
By Cris Chinaka
At a party on February 24 to celebrate his 94th birthday, Mugabe — who had held power for 37 years — said ….”It’s not like I am crying for those benefits. I joined the struggle to fight to free my people, not to personally benefit anything, but why deny me benefits that I am constitutionally entitled to?”
In a message to the new government, he added: “Anyway, just give us our benefits!”
What does the Zimbabwe constitution say about the benefits of a former head of state?
The Zimbabwe constitution of 2013 outlines the benefits of former heads of state in Section 102, and stipulates that payment must be published in a government gazette.
Pension
While the rest of the former President’s benefits are listed in Statutory Instrument 153 of 2017, his pension is established by Section 102(3) of the Constitution, which states that:
“A person who has ceased to be President or Vice President is entitled to –
(a) a pension that is equivalent to the salary of a sitting President or Vice President, as the case may be and;
(b) such allowances and other benefits as may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament.”
The rest of the benefits that are due to Mugabe, and the processes of payout, were published in Statutory Instrument 153 of 2017 on December 22 2017, just over a month after his resignation.
Former President Robert Mugabe and family, during his 94th birthday celebrations held at his Harare mansion
Cash payments
Former Chairman of the Public Service Commission Mariyawanda Nzuwah confirmed he wrote a letter to the central Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)on March 1 asking that Mugabe be paid a cash lump sum of $467,200 and 13,333 monthly cash instalments from his pension entitlement.
Staff
According to the Statutory Instrument, the former president is entitled to
the services of
(i) no less than six security personnel, a number which can be increased if the sitting President so determines
(ii) two drivers;
(iii) two Private Secretaries;
(iv) two aide-de-camp officers or personal assistants; and
(v) two office attendants;
Office and equipment
There is also provision for
(i) fully furnished office accommodation;
(ii) a landline telephone and a cellphone;
(iii) two computers; and
(iv) such other office equipment and materials as may be determined by the President.
Housing and household
The former president is also entitles to a fully furnished official residence at any place in Harare. Alternatively, the former head of State could, through a formal request made within two months of leaving office, opt for
(i) a housing allowance to be determined by the sitting President; or
(ii) a single private residence acquired or constructed on his or her behalf at any place of his or her choice in Zimbabwe; or
(iii) payment of a lump sum which is equal or equivalent to the value of the private residence referred to in (ii).
In the case of the official residence referred to above, if the former President dies, his or her surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, his or her dependent child, must continue to be provided with suitable State residential accommodation until –
(i) in the case of a surviving spouse, the date on which he or she dies or remarries , whichever event occurs first; and
(ii) in the case of a dependent child, the date on which he or she dies or the date on which he or she attains the age of 21 years, whichever event occurs first.
The private residence referred to above may be constructed on land which in total may not exceed an area of 5 000 square metres, and the residence itself may not exceed a reasonably sized house with five bedrooms, a guest wing with three bedrooms, a study, a swimming pool , two guardrooms and two garages.
Staff at the private residence:
(i) three domestic employees,
(ii) two gardeners;
(iii) two cooks and two waiters; and
(iv) two laundry persons.
Medical
An allowance covering medical aid contributions for the former President, his or her spouse, and any dependent children;
Travel
The former President and his spouse both get Diplomatic Passports and are guaranteed first class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, for up to a maximum of four trips per year.
They also get first class international air private travel up to a maximum of four trips per annum, including the spouse, if he or she accompanies the former President;
Transport
The former President has, at his disposal:
(i) one sedan (Mercedes Benz S500 series or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicle);
(ii) one four-wheel drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar type of motor vehicle); and
(iii) one pickup van; and
(iv) such adequate number of vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the former president.
The cost of fuel for, and the maintenance of, the vehicles referred to above must be borne by the Government.
The vehicles must be permanently at the disposal of the former President. All vehicles at the disposal of the former President must be replaced every five years.
Other Benefits
The former President also receives an entertainment allowance as determined by the sitting President as well as payment of telephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence.
Government also takes care of water and electricity charges in respect of the office and official residence of the former President.
*Article updated on March 15 2018.
About the author: Cris Chinaka is Editor-In-Chief of ZimFact.
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