‘Civil servants interested in politics told to resign’

ALL Civil servants and public officers intending to contest the 2021 general elections on the party ticket to resign by today (yesterday), said PF Secretary general Davies Mwila .And a teacher of Lusaka’s Munali Girls Secondary School Patrick Samwimbila has resigned to pursue active politics and has said that President Edgar Lungu will win next …

‘Civil servants interested in politics told to resign’
ALL Civil servants and public officers intending to contest the 2021 general elections on the party ticket to resign by today (yesterday), said PF Secretary general Davies Mwila .And a teacher of Lusaka’s Munali Girls Secondary School Patrick Samwimbila has resigned to pursue active politics and has said that President Edgar Lungu will win next years’ 2021 general elections.Mr Mwila explained that this was in line with Government‘s directive for civil servants and public officers who want to join politics to resign.Mr Mwila said the PF would not entertain any civil servant and public officer who has not resigned to apply for any elective position.He said the directive also included those serving in foreign missions, state owned institutions and quasi government institution.Mr Mwila said this at the media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that allowing officers to resign would help protect the integrity of the public service.He also disclosed that among other issues that the party would continue to engage with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) with regards to the slow pace of the voter registration exercise.Meanwhile, Mr Samwimbila who is also National Arts Council (NAC) Chairperson said earlier as a civil servant he was restrained from pursuing active politics and contributing to debates on governance therefore his resignation.He said he has since broken his silence on countering misleading statements on national issues alleged being issued by some politicians.He said critics of President Lungu were not being objective as they ignored the success scored in various sectors more especially infrastructure and road development.Mr Samwimbila said he would soon present himself to the Patriotic Front (PF) structures to offer solidarity to President Lungu and the party.