Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has castigated Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia president Day Chiyobe for suggesting that government is using funds meant for civil servants’ salaries for other programmes such as political campaigns hence the delay in paying salaries.
Dr Kambwili in a statement says the statement attributed to Mr Chiyobe is unfortunate, unfounded and inordinate.
He says the Patriotic Front Government will not and shall never use public funds for partisan programmes.
Dr Kambwili states that such careless statements have the potential to flare anger among citizens and cooperating partners which may lead to withholding of aid to Zambia.
He has warned civil servants to observe civil service etiquette and Standing Orders which prohibit them from issuing politically charged statements, adding that Mr Chiyobe should not abrogate his responsibility as a civil servant under the guise of being a union leader.
Dr Kambwili points out that while the official pay day for civil servants is the last day of the month, in the recent past Government has paid civil servants earlier because funds have been sourced in good time.
He however, states that due to reduced cash-inflows caused by various economic factors, Government has not been able to pay salaries earlier than the official pay day.
Dr Kambwili has since reiterated Government’s warning to civil servants to stay out of politics and to ignore statements such as that of Mr Chiyobe which he says smacks of cheap politics.