Why Zambian President, Hichilema, is not getting his paycheck

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema is not receiving his salaries.

For some reason, the Lusaka based, Head of State, popularly known as ‘Bally’ has been going without his monthly pay for nearly a year now.

Well at least, for eight months as far as the Zambian Ministry of Finance is concerned.

President Hichilema moved into State House on the 24^th of August, 2021 after winning the Zambian General Elections with a landslide, against all odds.

But since then, the Head of State has not been receiving his salaries from the Zambian Government.

Speaking to Channel Africa, the Zambian Ministry of Finance and National Planning, confirmed that indeed their 7th Head of State is not getting any pay.

Okay. But why aren’t they paying their president?

“Each time efforts to pay the President are made, Hichilema responds by saying; ‘Let us focus on working for the people of Zambia. It is service to the People and not Self-Service!”

Zambian Ministry of Finance and National Planning via Channel Africa

“But your excellency…!”

“…Stop right there.” Apparently, the Zambian head of state do not want any exaltation. Hichilema maintains that he should only be addressed as ‘Mr President.’ As far as he is concerned, other titles like ‘Excellency,’ only serves to create dictators.

“Clamoring for titles can also be taken for an inferiority complex.” He reckons.

He certainly can do without titles, but without a monthly salary, how does the Zambian Head of State manage to survive?

Hakainde Hichilema also happens to be a businessman, well at least, he was before becoming President.

The Zambian leader, is also a farmer.

The politician is the seventh and current president of Zambia following the August 12, 2021 General Elections.

He was sworn into presidency and took office from 24 August 2021.

Hichilema had contested in the five previous elections in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2016.

Finally, he managed to win the 2021 presidential election with nearly 60 percent of the votes.

Zambia borders Tanzania on the South, with the two countries sharing the legendary Tanzania-Zambia Railways (TAZARA) running from Dar-es-salaam to Kapiri Mposhi.