LUSAKA - The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) has condemned the conduct of Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana, accusing him of using his public office to make partisan political statements against the party and its presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile.
In a statement, NRPUP Chairperson for Information and Publicity Elias Kamanga said civil servants are expected to serve all Zambians professionally and impartially, arguing that taxpayer-funded public offices should not be used to advance political campaigns.
Mr. Kamanga alleged that the UPND administration has allowed senior public officials, including Mr. Kawana, Ambassador Elias Munshya, and Ambassador Andrew Banda, to openly engage in political activities while junior civil servants and other public officers allegedly face disciplinary action or intimidation for associating with opposition leaders.
He said the alleged selective application of standards undermines professionalism within the public service and weakens public confidence in state institutions.
Meanwhile, Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President Arnold Kaluba has condemned recent incidents of political violence reported across the country ahead of next week's general election.
In a separate development, Mr. Kawana has attributed the recent incidents of political violence to what he described as deliberate attempts by opposition parties to portray Zambia's elections as being characterised by violence.
Additionally, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo said the Government is aware of alleged plans to trigger further unrest in different parts of the country.
Source: Hot FM Zambia