Acting Minister of Defence Jack Mwiimbu says the United Party for National Development (UPND) has never retired any military personnel in the national interest since assuming office, unlike the previous Patriotic Front (PF) administration.
Mr. Mwiimbu was responding to a question in Parliament from Namwala Member of Parliament Herbert Mapani, who sought clarity on how many military officers were separated under unclear circumstances between August 2016 and 2021.
He revealed that 73 military personnel from the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, and Zambia National Service were separated from service during that period. Of these, 28 were cleared and reinstated, while 45 were not reinstated due to insufficient evidence to support their claims.
Mr. Mwiimbu emphasised that such practices were prevalent under the PF government, adding that under the UPND administration, officers found wanting are not arbitrarily dismissed but are instead subjected to formal disciplinary procedures.
By Elfi Mwale Shampande
