A 52-YEAR-OLD woman of Kabwe yesterday caused a stir at the Ministry of Justice after she was sent away following her request to see the minister, Given Lubinda.
Rosemary Phiri, who arrived at the ministry carrying a rucksack and a plastic bag, started shouting at the reception in an effort to seek attention after several attempts to see Lubinda failed.
Phiri, who said she had been spending nights at the Intercity Bus Terminus, is a former employee of the Ministry of Works and Supply in Kabwe.
She is claiming K5 million from the government after its failure to pay her K350,000 as instructed by the courts.
“In 2013 when I was busy doing my farming, I was accused of the facts that have not been proven by the courts of law of having been paid twice from our payments backdated from the year 2000 to 2006. We were getting our payments through Lukona Chambers and this office, Ministry of Justice. From 2013, I have lost my freedom, the State put me on blacklist until now I am still on blacklist on the so-called State machine. I left my farm but just to find that my farm has also been grabbed from me,” lamented Phiri, who attracted scores of onlookers at the ministry.
“My farm was then sold to the permanent secretary of Central Province…You can see that there is no justice in Zambia. I have been incarcerated several times for misconduct. I am here to claim my compensation, I was here yesterday and saw the PS [permanent secretary] legal but he told me that I should go back to Kabwe and wait, but for how long am I going to wait? I am a mother but I am now homeless while they keep my money. My farm has been grabbed by the same government so…I thought I should come back today. I wanted to see honourable Minister Given Lubinda. For how long am I going to be coming here? I am claiming K5 million as compensation after I was wrongly accused of having been paid twice. I am also claiming my benefits according to the first judgment copy. The first judgment copy stated that I am entitled to salaries, also entitled to house rentals and also entitled to the under payment.”Lubinda was not readily available for comment.
Read this article from the original source: Kabwe Woman Causes Stir After Being Barred From Seeing Lubinda.