Nasaf accuses politicians of contaminating civil service
President of the National Salvation Front (Nasaf) James Nyondo says the decision by the then ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) to remove 19 principal secretaries from government in 1994 is what has led to the plunder of public resources over the years.
Addressing the press in Lilongwe this week, Nyondo said this country’s first president Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda left a professional civil service which was touted as the best in Africa but lost its glory once the UDF assumed leadership.
Said Nyondo: “The problems that we are seeing in government today started in 1994 when 19 principal secretaries were summarily relieved of their posts through retirements. The only crime that these people committed was working closely with Dr Banda and serving him diligently and professionally.”
Nyondo said after firing the principal secretaries, politicians started ordering controlling officers to authorise dubious payments and expenditures.
“This is the reason why after 1994, every [political party] that comes into government becomes rich all of a sudden. They buy many vehicles, party materials and their own personal wealth grows to unproportional levels,” said Ndovi.
I think Nyondo has got a point.
Thats true Mr Nyondo. There is need to pass a bill on accountability and sources of political parties funding, what levels of funding should be available from parliament , maximum an individual or business can contribute per time period and issues surrounding conflict of interest by political party donors and government contracts. There is also need for a law for the presidency to disclose source of funding used to support presidential initiatives and ways these initiatives are to be run.
Parliament should also put in place a Public Service Appointment and Dismissal Service.
I like what Nyondo has been saying. I would have loved to see him working with MCP after the elections. It could be a formodable team