Appointment of cadres to civil service has dire consequences’

Appointment of cadres to civil service has dire consequences’
By George Chellah
Mon 30 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT

SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has observed that the appointment of well-known political cadres to professional careers in the civil service has dire consequences.

Commenting on President Rupiah Banda's recent reshuffles to government structures, Habasonda said SACCORD noted that the appointments of some permanent secretaries were a serious source of concern to the public.

"We have stated before that it is not proper to appoint well known political party functionaries to professional careers in the civil service. This is because the consequences are dire and the situation will be difficult to redress in the future," Habasonda stated.

"Earlier in the last reshuffles, some party cadres were appointed to top civil service positions against the outcry from the public. Unfortunately, we continue to see appointments based on patronage and support for the ruling party. We are unable to understand why our leaders cannot see the value in our pleas for a non-partisan civil service."

Habasonda said SACCORD was puzzled that its concerns, which were shared by the public at large, were not being listened to.

"Clearly the civil service plays an important role in ensuring service delivery to the people. However, once the civil service has been captured by political party interests as is now happening, it loses its essence, value, effectiveness and respect," Habasonda said.

"At the rate we are going, it is evident that the Party and its Government (PIG) syndrome reminiscent of the old UNIP days is back. This means we cannot expect fair and just decisions in managing development priorities and effectively reconciling conflicts that arise in the system."

Habasonda reiterated SACCORD's appeal to President Banda to begin ridding the civil service of political party functionaries instead of beefing up their numbers.

"There is urgent and great need by appointing authorities to re-examine the appointment system for controlling officers in this country because they are not only strategic but also reflective of the engine of the government," Habasonda said.

"While we recognise the powers vested in the high office to appoint any citizen, we wish to put it on record that we are disappointed nevertheless that some of the newly appointed permanent secretaries are being rewarded for campaigning for the ruling party as well as for lining up to meet the president whenever he is arriving or being a sympathizer to the MMD in one form or another."