Government pays K900 million to ex-MDF soldiers
Government has up to March this year to pay 191 ex-Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Soldiers K966, 849,463 in claims of underpayment of terminal benefits and miscalculation of pensions.
The revelation follows an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman after receiving a complaint from the ex-soldiers who retired in the period between 2004 and 2012.
Responding to a questionnaire, Ombudsman Grace Malera said the main claim was with respect to the underpayment of terminal benefits and the exclusion of some allowances.
She said the time their terminal benefits were paid out, the MDF excluded the components of some allowances including marriage allowance when computing the terminal benefits.
“Further, the calculations for their pensions were not properly done. The group was affected by the 2004 restructuring of the Civil Service Salaries and Grades, hence the underpayment,” she said.
Following the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman through investigations and tripartite meetings with all the concerned offices, the payment of the accrued terminal benefits commenced in September, 2022, Malera said.
“The deadline that was agreed by all parties is 31st March, 2023. As at February, 2023, more than three quarters of the concerned ex-soldiers have received their payments,” reads part of her response to Malawi News questions.
The Ombudsman commended the collaboration among the various government agencies in the matter. She described it as a good approach to solving maladministration issues in the country.
“This case shows that through collaborative approaches between the Office of the Ombudsman and government ministries and departments complaints concerning maladministration can be expeditiously resolved thereby aiding access to justice and remedies by the affected individuals,” she said.
Commenting on the matter, one of the ex-soldiers who spoke on anonymity said the Office of the Ombudsman helped them in a swift manner.
“You know sometimes government processes take time and sometimes you feel nothing will happen. But we are glad it worked and that it was investigated and concluded in good time.
“What is more exciting is that the government started paying. We can only hope the process will be concluded in March as agreed to by all parties during our discussions,” said the ex-soldier.
