By Staff Reporters
Hakainde Hichilema is mistakenly of the view that Zambia should operate like Grant Thornton because the man has simply refused to learn how public service works, says Economic Front (EF) leader Wynter Kabimba.
But Agriculture permanent secretary Green Mbozi said it is not like Agriculture minister Mtolo Phiri has run away from anything by proceeding on annual leave.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Kabimba said the fact that President Hichilema has allowed Phiri to proceed on annual leave despite the mealie meal shortage crisis and skyrocketing prices of the same commodity, showed the lack of experience he has in managing public affairs.
He said even if it was compulsory for people in the public service to go on leave so as to not forfeit their leave days, there was a caveat in the regulations where it says that the appointing authority or head of department can refuse somebody from proceeding on leave on account of certain circumstances or exigencies, like the current crisis the country is going through.
“It will be unreasonable for your supervising officer to allow you to go on leave. So they foresaw circumstances like these. And if you go to the general orders, the appointing authority, the man who appointed the minister cannot allow the minister to go on leave because the man has no deputy. So who is going to perform his functions? The President?” Kabimba asked. “Because you can’t appoint someone to act for someone for one month. It can only be three days. For the President to allow him to proceed on leave as if all is well just shows you the man has no experience about public service. Nobody who is responsible can allow his minister, who is his advisor to go on leave when the country is going through a crisis.”
Kabimba urged President Hichilema to learn to understand how government operates, saying he worked with people like late president Michael Sata who was far less educated but he caught up quickly with public functions because he was willing to listen.
“HH doesn’t want to learn. He thinks what he knows from Grant Thornton is what should prevail. You can’t allow for instance your defence minister to go on leave when the country is at war. Who does that in God’s name?” asked Kabimba. “Let him pay attention to rules and how government functions. He can’t change rules of government based on how he feels.”
But Mbozi said he was in touch with Mtolo, saying it was just that he has taken annual leave as required by the regulations.
“It’s just the annual leave he has taken. He has even taken it in pieces. He has gone for a few days to just go and pass through his constituency. He’s in fact going to inspect maize in Lundazi and other areas. So it’s not like it’s very strange that he has run away from anything. He hasn’t,” said Mbozi. “Normally there is a roster where all ministers are requested to take their leave. They are encouraged … because of the timing like you indicated. He can’t run away because we are always with him … In fact it’s working leave.”
