Former envoy sues State over allowances

A FORMER deputy head of mission at the Zambian High Commission in London has sued the State seeking payment of over US$100,000 in allowances he was entitled to following the termination of his contract.

Mr Chola Chama demanded representation allowance, cost of living allowance, entertainment allowance, outfit allowance and settling allowance at the rate of 20 per cent of monthly allowances among others.

According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court Mr Chama stated that on or about January 8 2013, he was appointed into the Foreign Service for the position of Deputy Head of Mission at the High Commission of Zambia in London, United Kingdom.

He cited Attorney General Likando Kalaluka as the respondent in the matter.

Mr Chama stated that his monthly salary was at the scale of GSS/02.

“The plaintiff shall shows that he was entitled to $38,000 per annum representation allowance, $57,000 per annum cost of living allowance, US$8,000 entertainment allowance, 21 days annual service leave allowance,” read the claim.

Mr Chama also said under his contract, he was entitled to gratuity at the rate of 100 per cent of his basic salary at the scale of GSS/02.

He claimed that on or about April 11 2014, his appointment into the Foreign Service was abruptly terminated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he was accordingly recalled. Upon which he was entitled to payment of three months’ salary.

Notwithstanding the allowances and entitlement he claims, Mr Chola said he will aver at trial that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refused or neglected to settle the allowances.

Mr Chama claimed that he had been inconvenienced and efforts to resolve the issues proved futile.