The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has moved to retire all of its officers, both judicial and non-judicial, who have reached the age of 55, but will recall all judicial officers who retired at the age of 60 in August 2022 from retirement.
According to an internal memo issued by Clifford Chinene, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Acting Chief Administrator, to judicial officers, the commission has resolved that all those who retired at the age of 60 have their letters of retirement revoked and will be recalled from retirement with immediate effect.
Mr. Chinene affirmed that a judicial officer is eligible to retire with full benefits upon reaching the age of 55 years.
“In consideration of the ruling in the case of Sandras Samakayi vs. Attorney General 2023/CCZ/0015, which definitively addressed the aforementioned retirement age, all judicial officers who were retired by the JSC at the age of 60 in August 2022 will have their retirement notifications rescinded and will promptly be reinstated,” stated Mr. Chinene.
He further clarified that, following the decision in the case of Martin Nyambe and Others vs. Konkola Copper Mines PLC Appeal No. 2 of 2022, all non-judicial officers employed before the enactment of Statutory Instrument No. 63 of 2014 Public Service (Retirement Age) Regulations, 2014, and the National Pension Scheme (Amendment) Act No. 7 of 2015, will be retired upon reaching 55 years of age.
Additionally, Mr. Chinene noted that all employees aged 60 years and older will retire at 55 years, with a transitional service period granted from their 55th birthday until their current age, and they will receive a three-month notice effective June 20, 2024.
