All civil servants with political ambitions have been given
the greenlight to contest the upcoming elections, but they must notify the
commission in writing of their plans according to a confidential Memo dated 18
May directed to all Government departments by the Ministry of Public Service.
According to the circular, a civil servant is deemed to
have resigned from the public service on the date of being given permission to
run for public office by the PSC.
However, civil servants have a right to reapply within 30
days of the election as long as they are not contesting the results.
It says that for participation in parliamentary elections,
a member would be deemed to have resigned from the service with effect from the
date of acceptance of his or her nomination by the Nomination Court.
“A member of the Public Service who wishes to become a
candidate for election to a local authority or has been nominated as a
candidate by a political party, political organisation or political movement or
declares himself or herself as a candidate for election to Parliament or local
authority shall submit, in writing, a letter notifying the commission of his or
her intentions,” reads part of the statement.
“The member shall be deemed to have resigned from the
Public Service with effect from the date that the authority is granted for
those seeking election to a local authority.”
This is in accordance with the clause of the Constitution
that forbids Government employees from running for office or taking any
positions in political parties prior to leaving the civil service as that is
unconstitutional.
“A person who has ceased to be a member of the Public
Service and who fails to secure or abandons his or her candidature or fails to
be elected to Parliament or local authority, may apply in writing to the
commission for reappointment within 30 days after the holding of elections.”
If there is an electoral petition, such a dispute in a ward
of Parliament seat, the applying civil servant has to wait after the courts
have sort out the petition.
“Former members who have lost in elections may be
re-appointed provided a suitable post exists and subject to such terms and
conditions as Commission may set to an office or post in the Public Service,”
reads the statement.
“If a member abandons his candidature or fails to be
elected, the member should apply to the Commission 30 days after the election
for reinstatement,” reads the circular.
Civil servants who spoke to The Herald said it was a
positive step that would inspire their colleagues to take an active role in
politics.
“Although I am grateful that the government has given us
the go-ahead to participate, I think one should render his or her resignation
letter after winning the election,” a civil servant who requested anonymity
said.
Another civil servant who could not divulge her name
because of the nature of her job said: “I want to contest in the forthcoming
elections but I am afraid I might lose my job permanently if I do. I don’t want
to take risks,” she said.”
Reacting to the latest development, Zimbabwe Teachers
Association (Zimta) president Mr Richard Gundani said they had never discussed
it because the provision has always been in place.
“The constitution states that all civil servants must be
apolitical, but that has always been the case so they are simply following the
policy.
“However, we have never discussed about the issue as a
organisation,” he said. Herald
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