LUSAKA – Economic Front President and UPND Alliance member Wynter Kabimba has called for reforms to Zambia's civil service, proposing that some positions be formally designated as partisan while others remain non-partisan.
Speaking in an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Kabimba said creating distinct categories within the civil service would provide greater clarity on the roles and expectations of public officers amid ongoing debate over the involvement of civil servants in partisan politics.
He argued that the concept of a completely non-partisan civil service is unrealistic, noting that some senior public service positions, particularly those appointed by the President, are inherently political because their tenure is linked to that of the appointing authority.
Mr. Kabimba cited recent remarks by Zambia's Ambassador to South Korea, Andrew Banda, who acknowledged that his tenure would end when President Hakainde Hichilema leaves office.
He further questioned calls for all civil servants to remain entirely non-partisan while exercising their constitutional right to vote, saying the issue requires honest national debate and legal reforms.
Mr. Kabimba maintained that clearly defining partisan and non-partisan positions would help eliminate uncertainty and improve accountability within the public service.
Source:
PHOENIX NEWS
By:
Elesani Phiri