UPND politicising civil service, says Kateka

By MUBITA KATETE

NEW Heritage Party (NHP) president Chishala Kateka has accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of eroding the neutrality of the country civil service, alleging that some public officials have turned government offices into platforms for partisan political activities.

Ms Kateka singled out Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, claiming his conduct had compromised the constitutional principle of impartial public service.

“The Zambian civil service was designed to be a neutral machine of governance, a professional bureaucracy insulated from the partisan winds of politics. Yet under the UPND, neutrality has been shredded,” Ms Kateka said.

She said that constitutional provisions and government directives requiring neutrality among civil servants were not being enforced, raising concerns over what she described as selective application of the rule of law.

She also questioned why disciplinary action had not been taken against Mr Kawana despite what she termed repeated public displays of partisan conduct.

“Zambia deserves better. We must demand accountability from the Secretary to the Cabinet, courage from the Public Protector, and integrity from every civil servant,” Ms Kateka said.

Ms Kateka also called on the Secretary to the Cabinet and the Public Protector to enforce existing laws governing professionalism and neutrality in the civil service.

She said that taxpayers should not be funding public officials who engage in partisan political activities, warning that failure to act risks weakening public confidence in democratic institutions.

Ends.