By Amos Sikaonga 
By Amos Sikaonga
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has refuted recent media reports alleging irregularities in the payroll for traditional leaders in Zambia.
Ministry’s Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Nicholas Phiri clarified that the Auditor General’s Report on the Accounts of the Republic for the Financial Year ending 31st December 2022 raised no audit queries regarding the payroll for chiefs.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has noted with concern a news item published on Saturday, 19th April 2025, regarding the payroll for chiefs in Zambia. We wish to categorically dispel the misconceptions contained in the said report.”
“There are no ghost chiefs on the Government’s subsidy payroll. All chiefs currently receiving subsidies are duly recognized traditional leaders,” Mr. Phiri stressed.
Mr. Phiri explained that the payroll is subject to annual audits by both the Ministry’s internal audit unit and the Office of the Auditor General, ensuring transparency and accountability.
He further noted that while chiefs were previously recognized through Statutory Instruments (SIs), the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 removed the requirement for SIs in this process.
Mr. Phiri however explained that chiefs recognized through SIs before the amendment continue to receive subsidies.
“The Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) currently maintains a master record of 286 recognized chiefs, which is updated only upon the death or dethronement of a chief, followed by legitimate succession procedures,” he said.
He added that many chiefdoms were abolished by the colonial administration between 1930 and 1960 due to low populations, tax issues, or misconduct.
“Although some chiefdoms still appear on the 1958 Chiefdom Boundary Map, they are not included in the current list of recognized chiefdoms,” Mr. Phiri added.
He emphasized that government policy has consistently opposed the revival of defunct chiefdoms, a position reaffirmed in a Cabinet paper dated 20th July 1993.
“The Ministry remains committed to transparency, respect for traditional authority, and maintaining the integrity of its financial and administrative systems,”he stated.
Cecilia Chiluba