By Chisomo Phiri
Retired civil servants have threatened to stage vigils at Capital Hill and pursue legal action against the government over delays in the payment of gratuities to more than 7,000 pensioners.
Speaking at a press briefing in Blantyre on Thursday,the president of the Association of Retired Civil Servants(ARCS ), Nellie Mkhumba, expressed frustration over the slow pace of disbursements, despite ongoing engagements with the Treasury.
Mkhumba said the delays are a violation of the Pension Act, which stipulates that lump-sum payments should be made within three months of retirement.
On his part part,publicity secretary for the association, Ben Mitochi, added that many pensioners are struggling to provide for their families, with the recent devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha further eroding the real value of their benefits.
In the 2025/26 National Budget, the government allocated K170.4 billion towards pensions and gratuities.
