By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
FORMER justice minister, Sebastian Zulu has dragged the Government to court demanding for payments of more than K240, 000 in terminal benefits and an undisclosed amount for sitting on five different committees of inquiries.
On allowances, Mr Zulu has sued Attorney General Musa Mwenye on his own behalf and on behalf of consultants and support staff of the committees of inquiry.
Mr Zulu, who is a Lusaka lawyer, said because of the termination of his employment by the Government, he has suffered loss and damage and wants to be paid K240, 929.83 as terminal benefits plus interest.
He wants the Lusaka high court to order that he be paid loss of outstanding sitting allowances in respect of the Inquiry into the sale of 49 per cent shares in Zamtel to Lap Green Network of Libya.
Mr Zulu wants the Government to be ordered to pay him outstanding sitting allowances in the inquiry over an agreement to purchase radar equipment for use at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
He further wants the court to order that he be paid loss of outstanding sitting allowances for sitting on the Inquiry into the sale of 49 per cent shares in Zanaco to Rabo Bank as well as loss of outstanding sitting allowance for sitting on the committee of inquiry into the offer of almost US$98 million by NAPSA to Zambia National Building Society for the renovation of society house and Arcades.
Mr Zulu wants another order for outstanding sitting arrears for his involvement in the inquiry of NAPSA’s purchase of land from Meanwood Property Development Limited.
He stated in his writ of summons filed in the principal registry that he was a minister of justice and chairperson of a committee of inquiry relating to five inquiries directed by late President Michael Sata.
Between October and December 2011, Mr Sata instructed him to set up and chair a committee of Inquiry to carry out investigations into the sale of 49 per cent shares in Zamtel, an agreement to purchase radar equipment, the sale of 49 per cent shares in Zanaco, offer of almost $98 million by NAPSA and purchase of land by NAPSA from Meanwood Property.
He said after consultation with the President, several people were appointed to serve on various Inquiries and various amounts were determined for their sitting allowances.
Mr Zulu said that the work was done and reports were submitted as per guidelines.
He said that some of the sitting allowances were paid but there were some outstanding amounts which Government has failed or neglected to pay him, the consultants and supporting staff.