17 May 2017

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe has advised public officers to ‘leave politics to politicians’ and concentrate on their professions.

Addressing public officers at Ghanzi on May 16, Mr Kwerepe said some government employees reflect more of politicians than public officers.

He said it was apparent that some government employees used social networks platform such as Facebook to share their political opinions, which he said was contrary to Public Service Act.

“Public employees are not allowed to publicly speak or demonstrate for or against any politician or political party,” Assistant Minister cited from section 5 of Public Service Act.

Mr Kwerepe was also concerned that there were some government employees that disassociated themselves from government programmes and policies.

Nonetheless, he was happy that most public officers were doing their best to serve their clients despite difficult circumstances such as shortage of resources.

He said government would always do her best to improve their working conditions.

He said public employees were important as they were the ones who were driving the development and they would always come first in government priority list.

Prior, deputy district commissioner for Charleshill, Mr Gobe Macha had told the assistant minister that unfilled vacancies, shortage of resources and poor roads conditions were some of the challenges they were facing.

Assistant director in the  employment relations division  at DPSM, Mr Victor Manyanda said some officers declined transfers citing medical reasons.

He said said transfers were being processed and most will be ready between September and December. ENDS