Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has noted with concern the recent remarks
made by President Hakainde Hichilema during his meeting with traditional leaders in
Monze, as reported in Monday’s edition of the News Diggers newspaper. The President
indicated that chiefs would be consulted to recommend candidates for public sector
positions so as to rectify historical employment imbalances. While we understand the
President’s intention to ensure inclusivity, we must emphasize the importance of
maintaining a merit-based recruitment system that is transparent, fair, and impartial.
The Zambian legal framework clearly establishes the principles of meritocracy and equal
opportunity in public service recruitment, and we must guard against creating an
environment where these principles can be compromised for whatever reason. Allowing
non-merit-based recommendations, even with the best of intentions, risks creating
nepotism and favouritism, undermining the integrity of public institutions.
The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, specifically Article 173,
mandates that recruitment into the public service must be based on merit to ensure
fairness, effectiveness, and professionalism. Any deviation from these guidelines could
open the door to corruption and abuse of office, as outlined in the Anti-Corruption Act No.
3 of 2012.
The Public Finance Management Act No. 1 of 2018 and the Public Procurement Act No.
8 of 2020 also both stress the need for transparency and accountability in managing
public resources. Human resources, like financial resources, must be allocated fairly and
judiciously, based on merit, to prevent wastage and inefficiency in public service.
Therefore, TI-Z strongly cautions against nepotism and any form of favoritism in the public
sector recruitment process. Nepotism not only violates Zambian law but also erodes
public trust in the fairness and integrity of public institutions. The Anti-Corruption Act
makes it clear that any form of corruption or abuse of office—including biased recruitment
practices—must be met with the full force of the law.
The recruitment of civil servants should not be influenced by familial, social, or political
connections. Instead, it must strictly follow established legal frameworks that guarantee
equal opportunities for all Zambians, based on qualifications and competence. Traditional
leaders, while vital partners in development, must not be placed in a position where their
recommendations could inadvertently promote unfair practices or undermine the rule of
law.
TI-Z calls on the government to ensure that public sector employment remains merit[1]based, transparent, and free from undue influence. Any consultations with traditional
leaders regarding public service recruitment should be structured in a way that does not
replace or overshadow legal recruitment processes. We encourage the government to
strengthen its commitment to fair recruitment practices by upholding the principles
enshrined in Zambia’s legal framework.
We also urge traditional leaders, civil society, and the public to continue advocating for a
public service recruitment process that is guided by the values of fairness, transparency,
and accountability. Only through such a system can Zambia build strong public institutions
capable of delivering quality services to its people.
Maurice K. Nyambe (Mr.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
