Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has cautioned public workers to remain politically neutral and separate their professional duties from partisan politics.
Mrs Nalumango says that when civil servants begin engaging in partisan political activities in their offices, divisions and conflicts can arise.
The Vice President reiterated that although human beings naturally have political opinions, those opinions must not interfere with the performance of official duties.
She was speaking in Parliament today, in response to Sikongo Member of Parliament Mayungo Simushi who wanted governments’ stance on civil servants who may be working to obstruct progress or frustrate the government’s drive for economic development.
Mrs Nalumango reminded that, the responsibility of public servants is to implement and support the lawful policies of the government of the day, irrespective of one’s personal political preferences.
She therefore noted the need to sensitive members of the civil service about the responsibilities that come with holding public office.
“There are countries around the world that experience considerable political turbulence and frequent changes of government, yet they continue to make progress in development. One of the reasons is that they have a professional civil service that is not politicized,” she noted.
The Vice President further implored civil servants, including employees in parastatal bodies and other government-related institutions to understand the policies and programmes of the government, including the Grow Zambia Agenda and the other development initiatives being implemented.
“If a public servant deliberately obstructs the lawful implementation of government policy, that person is not fulfilling the responsibilities of the office they occupy.
And if someone wishes to engage in active partisan politics and openly campaign against the government, they should consider whether a career in the public service is appropriate for them,” she added.
Meanwhile, responding to Shiwangandu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo on the issue of retiring civil servants on national interest, Mrs Nalumango noted that there are provisions within institutional and legal frameworks that allow for retirement in national interest.
The Vice President however clarified that it is not the intention of the government to retire public servants in the national interest, but that such commitments must be understood in the context of changing circumstances.
“Retirement in the national interest is provided for under the relevant public service and pension legislation, which outlines the circumstances and procedures under which it may be applied,” she indicated.
Mrs Nalumango added that even when one holds a permanent and pensionable position, changes can occur within public institutions as they may undergo restructuring, realignment, or other policy-driven changes that affect staffing arrangements.
She concluded that the legal provisions remain in place and may be applied when circumstances warrant it.
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