THE CIVIL SERVICE & CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT. WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
IT is common in a country that conducts regular elections to change governments every so often and so is the composition of the civil service.
In Zambia, regular elections and change of administration have been an entrenched democratic practice since 1991.
The main casualties at every change of govt outside the politicians ‘re the civil servants at State HOUSE or public officers ie. Permanent secretaries, heads of state owned enterprises (SOEs), service Commission heads, Diplomats, DCs among others.
Delaying replacing these heads of SOEs, PSs, Diplomats and DCs among others is usually regarded as a “weakness than strength” to the new administration/Govt.
Already huge national debate is raging as to why the new President has not replaced diplomats who were recently recalled, PSs recently fired and DCs who have continued to enjoy free salaries as they continue to be on paid leave.
With the assumption of a party whose focus was to politicise all govt and state institutions, public service and public officers had become more vulnerable, manipulative and more aggressive in recruiting people in govt offices who Support the party for continued stay in their offices.
Except for the Bank of Zambia Governor, Christopher Mvunga who resigned on his own, the rest have waited to be fired or recalled even when they engaged in active partisan politics.
But should new administrations/government always fire public officers whenever they assumed office?
This should not be case if recruitment of these was based on merit, competence and relevant experience that political, familial, tribal, ethnicity, regional affiliations.
Service Commissions Act, 2016 spells out values and principles of the civil service but alas these are never respected due to politics.
The way forward is to respect the values and principles of the civil service which include but not limited to: impartial and equitable provision of services, efficient and economic use of national resources, integrity and professional, inclusive and accountable.
Other values are qualified, meritorious, competent, relevant experience and good conduct.
Do these values and principles reflect in appointed persons to run the civil service, if not then changes at every regime that comes into office shall be our portion?
To this end, the President must be decisive on whether to maintain or replace some of the public officers such as the DCs than extending their leave while they get paid free monies meant for national development.
I submit
McDonald Chipenzi