Mwaliteta: Civil Servants Must Support Zambia Government, Not Party

• UPND Lusaka Province Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta stated he has no apology for his remarks insisting civil servants must support the government of the day.
• Mwaliteta clarified that he expects civil servants to remain non-partisan and implement government policies, not become UPND party cadres.
• He argued that public servants are paid by the government and should not frustrate or sabotage its agenda, citing their support for the previous PF government.
• Mwaliteta suggested that any civil servant unwilling to serve the current government should resign from their position.
• He reiterated that the expectation is loyalty to the government, not to the UPND party.

This stance by a senior ruling party official signals a potential redefinition of political expectations for Zambian civil servants concerning their traditional neutrality.

Obvious Mwaliteta, who serves as the Lusaka Province Chairperson for the United Party for National Development (UPND), has firmly defended his recent statements concerning the role of civil servants in Zambia. Mwaliteta declared that he has no regrets or apologies for his remarks, which assert that public sector employees are obligated to support the current administration. His position comes amidst criticism, which he believes stems from a misunderstanding of his intentions.

The UPND official clarified that his expectation for civil servants to support the government of the day does not equate to a demand for them to become political operatives or "cadres" for the UPND party. Instead, he emphasized that his call is for public servants to maintain their non-partisan status while diligently fulfilling their duties in service of the government. This distinction is central to his argument, aiming to separate loyalty to the governing party from loyalty to the state's administrative functions.

Mwaliteta's insistence on civil service support for the government is rooted in his view of their employment and responsibilities. He highlighted that civil servants receive their salaries from the government, and as such, their primary function is to implement the policies and directives of the sitting administration. He firmly stated that public servants are not meant to engage in political activities, nor should they align themselves with the opposition.

Furthermore, Mwaliteta articulated that civil servants should refrain from actions that could undermine or impede the government's work, specifically mentioning that they should not "sabotage" or "frustrate" its efforts. To underscore his point, he drew a parallel to the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government, noting that civil servants had similarly supported that administration. He concluded by suggesting that any civil servant unwilling to serve the current government should consider resigning from their post, reiterating that the UPND government seeks loyalty to the government itself, not to the party.

This stance by a senior ruling party official signals a potential redefinition of political expectations for Zambian civil servants concerning their traditional neutrality. The remarks by the UPND Lusaka Province Chairperson introduce a critical discussion point regarding Zambia public service neutrality and the interpretation of civil service ethics Zambia. While Mwaliteta stresses non-partisanship, his demand for "support" and warnings against "frustrating" the government could be perceived as blurring the lines of political impartiality.

For legal professionals advising public sector employees or government bodies, these UPND Mwaliteta civil service remarks are significant. They could influence how Zambian administrative law civil servants interpret their codes of conduct, potentially leading to disputes concerning political impartiality and the boundaries of their professional obligations. The emphasis on "loyalty to the government" rather than the party, while seemingly a distinction, still prompts questions about the practical implications for civil servants navigating their roles under the "government of the day support Zambia" directive.

This statement by a senior ruling party official signals a potential shift in political expectations for Zambian civil servants regarding their neutrality. Lawyers advising public sector employees or government bodies should be aware of this stance, as it could influence interpretations of civil service codes of conduct and potentially lead to disputes concerning political impartiality.

Source: Original reporting via News Diggers!