Choose wisely, State House warns civil servants over Mundubile’s ultimatum
…..public workers to treat Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance candidate’s threat as a ‘wake-up call’ ahead of general elections
By DAVID KANDUZA
SPECIAL Assistant to the President for Policy Compliance, Joseph Lungu, has strongly urged civil servants across the country to take seriously the recent warning issued by Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile regarding alleged partisan conduct, warning public workers that they risk losing their livelihoods if they fail to make wise decisions at the polls.
In an exclusive interview, Mr Lungu stated that Mr Mundubile’s declaration—asserting that dismissing partisan individuals within the civil service would fall within his constitutional powers if elected president—must serve as a severe wake-up call for public workers as they decide who to vote for in the upcoming general elections.
Mr Lungu’s remarks come in direct response to a strict one-month ultimatum issued by Mr Mundubile to civil servants who were allegedly campaigning for the ruling UPND.
The opposition leader warned that public service workers actively engaging in political campaigns must change their conduct within 30 days or face immediate replacement if his alliance assumes office.
While acknowledging the threat posed to public workers by the opposition’s stance, Mr Lungu firmly dismissed counter-allegations that top Government officials were currently engaging in the same partisan behaviour.
He strongly rejected claims that various permanent secretaries have been actively campaigning for President Hakainde Hichilema while conducting official State duties, clarifying that they were merely executing their constitutional and institutional responsibilities.
Specifically, the presidential aide defended the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Thabo Kawana, against opposition accusations of bias.
Mr Lungu clarified that Mr Kawana has operated strictly within his capacity as the administrative head of the ministry and had not acted in a partisan manner.
The escalating rhetoric highlights growing political friction surrounding the neutrality of the civil service as the country prepares for the upcoming general elections, with the ruling administration urging public workers to protect their employment security against opposition threats of structural purges