The Zambia National Farmers Union( ZNFU) has been dragged to court for failing to pay statutory monthly pension contributions to the National pension scheme authority (NAPSA) amounting to K5,546,896,48.

Particulars of the offence are that ZNFU, between October 19 and November 9, 2017, being a registered employer, without lawful excuse failed pay the sum of K1,414,522.34 employer/employee contributions.

The farmers’ body also failed to remit a 20 per cent cumulative penalty of K4,132,374.14 between January 2016 and September 2017 which it is required to pay to NAPSA in respect of its eligible employees after being issued with a warning letter dated October 19, 2017.

According to a NAPSA inspector Pumulo Chisamu, legal proceedings were preferred against ZNFU after visiting its premises and established the outstanding balance.

The offence committed is contrary to section 15(1) and (2) as read with 51(1)(a) and (d) and (2)of the National Pension Scheme Act no 40 of 1996 of the Laws of Zambia.

The Magistrates’ Court issued summons to the Director of the Union to appear in court yesterday.

ZNFU is yet to take plea as the matter has not yet been allocated.