SACCORD WARNS AGAINST POLITICAL INTIMIDATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS
SACCORD WARNS AGAINST POLITICAL INTIMIDATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) Executive Director Arthur Muyunda has cautioned politicians against threatening or intimidating civil servants, saying disciplinary matters involving public officers should be handled through established government procedures.
Mr Muyunda said while civil servants were expected to support the government of the day in executing public duties, politicians had no authority to discipline or threaten them over perceived political conduct.
“To start with, a civil servant is expected to support the government of the day,” Mr Muyunda said.
He was responding to remarks attributed to UPND politician Obvious Mwaliteta and North-Western Province youth chairperson Bruce Kanema concerning the conduct of civil servants.
Mr Muyunda said the Secretary to the Cabinet was responsible for dealing with allegations of misconduct involving civil servants and determining appropriate disciplinary action.
“If a civil servant has offended, it is the responsibility of the Secretary to the Cabinet to reprimand that person and determine what action should be taken – not a politician,” he said.
He warned that allowing politicians to interfere directly in the administration of civil servants could undermine professionalism in the public service and risk reviving practices associated with political cadres.
Mr Muyunda said politicians should instead report suspected misconduct to the appropriate authorities for investigation and action in accordance with the law.
“If Honourable Mwaliteta has identified civil servants whom he believes have committed offences or misconduct, his responsibility as a whistleblower is to report the matter confidentially to the Secretary to the Cabinet,” he said.
He also reminded civil servants that although they were entitled to political views, they were expected to exercise restraint in publicly expressing political sentiments in ways that could affect their professional responsibilities.
Mr Muyunda said political differences should be accommodated within the public service and urged UPND leadership to condemn political intimidation of civil servants.
“That is how a professional civil service should operate,” he said.
He further said he did not expect President Hakainde Hichilema to support conduct that could undermine political diversity and tolerance within the civil service.
“I do not think President Hichilema would allow that kind of lawlessness,” Mr Muyunda said.