Kamuzu Banda benefits claim headlines Malawi paper

A benefits claim by the family of founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda to government hit the headlines on Tuesday.

Malawi flagship daily newspaper, The Nation reported that Banda’s family had made a fresh appeal to the government for the founding president’s retirement package, two years after an earlier communication did not yield a response.

Family lawyer Ralph Mhone said they are yet to get a response from the government after sending a notice to the Office of the Attorney General.

Reads the notice of claim: “We, therefore, claim for gratuity, monthly pension, benefits and facilities as provided under Section 4 (1) (c) of the Presidents (Salaries and Benefits) Act [and Part 111 of the Schedule of the Act] Cap 2:02 of the Laws of Malawi. Your due attention to this matter will be highly appreciated.”

He said the notice of claim said Kamuzu, who left office in 1994 after having ruled the country from 1964, was never paid any benefits for his service to the nation or recognition as a retired head of state.