ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to Malawi Panji Kaunda and former Cabinet minister Chishimba Kambwili are among four ministers that have been reported to the office of the attorney general for failing to refund government the illegal salaries and allowances they received in 2016 after parliament had dissolved.
The other two include Fackson Shamenda and his counterpart, Dawson Kafwaya.
In 2016, 63 ministers including Kambwili and Panji who was a deputy minister at the time, illegally continued to act in their roles, while receiving government salaries and allowances after the dissolution of parliament.
The Constitutional Court later ordered the ministers to refund government the money which amounted to K4.3 million.
Nine years after the ruling, Vice President Mutale Nalumango has revealed that only Kambwili, Panji, Shamenda and Kafwaya have failed to repay the money.
Nalumango stated that 59 other ministers have since paid back the money as of July, 2025.
She said the total amount that the four ministers owe government is K230,064 and attorney general Mulilo Kabesha is to act on the matter.
This came to light in the National Assembly yesterday after Katombola Member of Parliament Clement Andeleki asked the Vice President to tell the house the amount owed, how many ministers had not refunded government and what was to happen to them.
“I believe this should be in public domain, these are, honourable Mr. Chishimba Kambwili, honourable Mr. Fackson Shamenda, honourable colonel Panji Kaunda and honourable Dawson Kafwaya,” she said.
“The money still owed as of July 2025 due to non payment by the four ministers amounts to K230,064.36. The matter regarding the outstanding amount has been referred to the office of the attorney general for appropriate action.”
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, October 29, 2025
