NAPSA goes after church in penalty fees

THE Anglican church has been asked to cough out more than K300,000 demanded by the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) in penalty arrears, according to claims filed in court.

According to court papers, NAPSA has sued the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka in the Lusaka High Court demanding over K300, 000 penalty arrears resulting from late remittance of monthly statutory returns for its employees. NAPSA stated that at all material times, Anglican Diocese of Lusaka was registered under the Societies Act and contributing employer registered under the National Pension Scheme Act. According to a statement of claim filed in court, NAPSA claimed that it was by law mandated to collect monthly statutory contributions from contributing employers at the end of the month. It claimed that when one defaults to pay within a specific timeframe, there was a 20 percent cumulative penalty for each month. “If a contribution is not paid within the stated timeframe, such a payment attracts a 20percent cumulative penalty for each month, the claim reads in part,” read the claim.

NAPSA further said it will avail at trial that Anglican Diocese of Lusaka had not been remitting monthly contributions of late and as a result accumulated debt in form of penalty arrears amounting to K306, 388.35. It claimed that by a letter of demand dated August 3 last year, it demanded the settlement of the said sums owing and due. NAPSA said it will also avar at trial that despite several reminders and letters to ensure Anglican Diocese of Lusaka’s mandatory complied with the law, the church mother body had failed and neglected to pay the said amount which was due to pension scheme. The authority is now claiming K306, 388, 35 in respect of penalty arrears as a result of none or late payment of contributions including interest. NAPSA also wants damages, costs and any other reliefs the court may deem fit.