Ex-Minister campaigns for ’benefits’: Malawi retired political holders should have pension

Former cabinet minister and legislator Moses Dossi is in a crusade to convince government to start paying pension for retired political office holders.

He told Capital Radio that he has already written the Presidency, Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya, leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera, cabinet ministers and all members of parliament to consider his proposal.

“Look, former cabinet ministers and MPs die like chickens once they leave office. They are used and dumped. Late John Zingale had to put up advertisements in newspapers soliciting support to pay hospital bills yet he had been MP for five years,” he said.

His proposal is unlikely going to be considered by the government because of the current down turn economic situation and legislators and cabinet ministers are put on lucrative contracts with high monthly pay, handsome allowances, attractive medical scheme and other mouth watering benefits.

But Dossi claimed all the money that cabinet ministers and MPs make while in office are used for political campaigns and helping constituents who demand coffins and vehicles to ferry the sick.

“I am not fighting this for myself but for other people. Imagine Gwanda Chakuamba had to go on television to tell the nation that he is living in chronic poverty. The President (Peter Mutharika) felt pity and sent him a fat envelope (of money). Do we expect JZU, Robson Chirwa, and Louis Chimango to do the same?” asked Dossi rhetorically.

The once party presidential pretender who challenged Bakili Muluzi at UDF party polls said it is sad former cabinet ministers and MPs are humiliated once they leave office, saying their diplomatic passports are snatched away and kicked out of the VIP airport lounges.

“We are talking of a person who just days, weeks or months ago was chauffer driven. They can’t just snatch away our diplomatic passports as if we are thieves. We need to be respected. We once made crucial decisions for the nation,” said Dossi.

He said there was need to change the Constitution to include thus, saying the life state benefits should not be extended to former head of states and former vice presidents only.

Dossi insisted Malawi can afford this extravagant venture, arguing Malawi is not poor but Malawians are.

He said no one has so far responded to his letters.

Asked if he was too broke that he needed to be put on state welfare, he answered back, “no.”