The United Party for National Development (UPND) has expressed concern over remarks attributed to NIRPUP leader Brian Mundubile in Mporokoso, in which he reportedly threatened to dismiss certain civil servants if elected into office.
The UPND believes such statements are regrettable and risk creating unnecessary fear and uncertainty among public servants, whose primary responsibility is to serve the people of Zambia professionally, regardless of the government of the day.
We wish to remind the nation that under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, the Government has consistently upheld the principle of a professional, non-partisan and merit-based civil service. Since assuming office in 2021, the UPND Government has undertaken large-scale recruitment of civil servants across all provinces and districts, with recruitment conducted in line with the principles of national unity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity.
The UPND further maintains that, unlike previous administrations, no civil servant has been dismissed solely on the basis of perceived political affiliation under the New Dawn Government. Instead, civil servants have been encouraged to discharge their duties impartially, professionally and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Zambia.
It is our considered view that political leaders should avoid rhetoric that may be interpreted as threatening public officers. Such statements undermine confidence within the civil service and are inconsistent with the values of democratic governance and national unity.
We therefore urge Mr. Mundubile and other political leaders to respect the independence and professionalism of Zambia’s civil servants. Public officers are not political actors; they are citizens who are entitled to exercise their constitutional rights, including the right to vote for candidates of their choice.
The UPND remains committed to protecting the integrity of the civil service and ensuring that appointments, promotions and continued service are guided by competence, professionalism and the law rather than political considerations.
As the country heads towards the 13 August 2026 General Election, we call upon Zambians to support leadership that promotes unity, stability and respect for public institutions. We remain focused on consolidating the economic gains achieved over the past five years while accelerating efforts to reduce the cost of living, create more jobs and improve the welfare of all citizens through continued investment in mining, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Cash for Work, empowerment programmes and agricultural support initiatives.
The UPND assures all civil servants that under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, they will continue to be protected from political victimisation and encouraged to serve the nation with professionalism, integrity and dedication. Our staunch belief as UPND is that Civil servants are not politicians, they are citizens who also have the right to vote for the leader of their choice.
Under the UPND and President Hichilema, no civil servant shall be victimized. This is because Bally loves, Bally cares, Bally delivers on a professional civil service and he says there is more work to be done.
This is why we are seeking another mandate so that we can now focus on reducing the cost of living and create more jobs for our people, since we have laid a strong foundation in mining, CDF, Cash for work, Imisepela loans and Fertliser Input Support Programme.
Issued by:
Mark Simuuwe
Media Director
United Party for National Development (UPND)