By 
The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has dragged Associated Fire Services Limited to court over unpaid penalty arrears amounting to K3,964,446.15, arising from the company’s alleged failure to remit employee pension contributions on time.
In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, NAPSA stated that Associated Fire Services Limited is a duly registered company under the Companies Act No. 10 of 2017 and a contributing employer under the National Pension Scheme Act No. 40 of 1996.
According to the authority, the law mandates all contributing employers to remit statutory pension contributions for their employees by the end of each month.
NAPSA explained that failure to remit contributions on time attracts a monthly penalty, which was initially 20 percent but revised to 10 percent following a legal amendment on December 6, 2022.
The authority claimed that although the company had made some contributions, many were submitted late, leading to the accumulation of penalties now totalling nearly K4 million.
NAPSA further stated that it had issued several reminders and sent formal correspondence urging the company to meet its statutory obligations, but that the firm allegedly failed or neglected to pay the outstanding amount.
“Despite being reminded on numerous occasions, the defendant has failed to honour its statutory duty, prompting the plaintiff to seek redress through the courts,” read part of the statement.
NAPSA is now seeking a court order for the payment of K3,964,446.15 in penalty arrears, interest on the amount owed, damages for breach of statutory duty, and costs related to the legal action.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments