Zambia’s former Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union Emmanuel Mwamba says Chellah Tukuta’s ‘re-assignment’ from State House photographer to third secretary (Communications) at Zambia’s Embassy in Brazil is a huge demotion.
But Ministry of Information media director Thabo Kawana recently argued that Tukuta’s appointment was not a demotion, saying in fact “the mambala” is happy with advanced perks in the diplomatic service.
Amb Mwamba observed that Tukuta’s position is the least among all the diplomatic appointments.
“It’s a huge demotion. It’s the last tier in Diplomatic Service,” Amb Mwamba said, “Hierarchy: Ambassador /High Commissioner, Deputy/ Minister Councillor, Councillor, First Secretary ( Political, Press, Tourism, Trade, Protocol, Defence Attaché), Second Secretary ( Assistant Protocol, Accountants, PA),Third Secretary – Secretary Communications.”
But Kawana said Tukuta requested to be re-assigned.
Kawana said anyone who has worked in the foreign service was aware about the advanced perks those in the foreign service get.
“Weo ungachite compare salary ya camera man waku State House namumtu ali ku foreign service (You can you compare the salary of a camera man at State House with someone who is in the foreign service)? Can you do that? Ofola zininji nibani (who gets more)?” asked Kawana. “You see, we can not be calling it a demotion on one end koma muntu kuyakine oko beula on the other end (when someone is getting rich on the other end). So where is demotion? Bottom line here is it’s a re-assignment. Ngoya kumvwa bwino mambala lomba (the crook is now feeling nice).”
The media team at State House comprised of Clayton Hamasaka as media director, Anthony Bwalya (presidential spokesperson), Brian Mwiinga (State House analyst), Frederick Misebezi (State House analyst) and Tukuta as photographer, but Tukuta has now since left.
1 Comment