Govt recalls retired PS Sande
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled retired civil servant Bernard Sande and engaged him as chief adviser to the ministry just a day after his contract expired as Principal Secretary (PS).
The move comes amid growing criticism that the number of top civil servants is bloating again after public sector reforms reduced the number of executive positions.
In an appointment letter dated August 19 2024 which we have seen, Sande’s new contract is with effect from August 10 2024.
“I have the honour to inform you that Ambassador Benard Sande concluded his contract as Secretary for Foreign Affairs on 9th August 2024. It is with great pleasure that I further inform that Ambassador Sande has been re-designated as chief adviser [Grade C] for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with effect from 10 August, 2024,” reads the letter signed by the ministry’s PS (legal) Mary Kachale.
W h e n c a l l e d f o r clarification Kachale, who described her letter as an internal communication, referred The Nation to the Office of the President and Cabinet.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo, Sande, government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu and OPC spokesperson Robert Kalindiza did not respond to our questionnaire.
The Nation sought from the public officers’ clarification on Sande’s role as chief adviser whose grade is also at PS level.
Prior to Sande’s contract expiry the ministry had expiry the ministry had three PSs in Sande, Kachale and McLoyd Polepole.
Inside sources said Polepole has taken over from Sande.
Towards the end of his tenure, Sande endured having party cadres invading his office to remove him. However, police came to his rescue.
At the dawn of the current administration in July 2020, Sande was recalled from retirement to become PS for Lands before moving to Foreign Affairs where he replaced Lucky Sikwese who was deployed to the Office of the Vice- President (OVP).
In his career, Sande has also served as PS in the OVP after serving in foreign missions. His three-year contract ended last year and had an extension until August 9 2024.
His new appointment comes in the wake of criticism that the public service has more PSs contrary to the public sector reforms report of 2015, which recommended a reduction.
