Zambia's opposition criticizes government restructuring and layoffs
Opposition lawmakers in Zambia have criticized the government over dismissals and early retirements of public servants "in the national interest" since the August election. The government denies a political purge and calls the process a lawful institutional realignment.
In Zambia, a southern African country, a wave of dismissals, early retirements and restructuring has hit several public institutions since the general election in August. The opposition and some civil society figures say it threatens the stability of public service jobs, which have traditionally been seen as secure, and the issue moved to the center of parliamentary debate in October.
What happened
In October it was announced that Godfrey Chilabi, a former public relations officer, had left the Zambia Police Service. He told media he had been retired in the national interest and declined to give reasons. Charity Munganga, a deputy inspector general of police, was dismissed. All staff at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency were let go as part of a "reset" after a government audit. At the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), all senior management directors were placed on administrative leave. According to an October 20 statement by the Green Economy and Environment Ministry, their competence, performance and suitability will be assessed before it is decided whether they are reinstated or separated.
Opposition and government positions
Zambian law allows service commissions to retire officers in the national interest, and earlier governments have used the measure too. Critics note that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) opposed the practice while in opposition. Opposition lawmakers led by Stephen Kampyongo asked in the National Assembly on October 17 what assurances public servants "working in fear" were getting.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango rejected the idea of a political purge, pointing to section 39 of the Public Service Pensions Act. UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso said every party that comes to power works with people aligned with its vision.
Political commentator Andrew Nguvu said decisions should be transparent and explained, warning that abrupt changes can weaken morale and institutional memory. Civil rights activist David Chishimba, president of the Zambia Council of Activists (ZACA), called on the government to publish the names and evidence of those facing dismissal and to let the Civil Service Commission act independently.
