By Staff Writer
THE Public Service Commission (PSC) has ordered all civil servants intending to contest in the 2023 polls to resign and leave their government jobs in a bid to maintain the sanity of professional independence.
A PSC circular sent to government workers recently says while government workers are allowed to join politics but must quit their jobs before pursuing their interests.
Under the new regulations, a member of the PSC who wishes to participate as a party candidate by a political party, political organisation or political movement or declares himself/herself as a candidate for election to Parliament or local authority shall submit, in writing a letter notifying the Commission of his /her intentions.
The member shall be deemed to have resigned from the Service with effect from the date that the authority is granted for those seeking election to a local authority .Section 200 (3) and (4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013.
“No member of the Civil Service may, in the exercise of their functions act in a partisan manner; further the interests of any political party or cause; prejudice the lawful interests of any political party or cause; or violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person .
“Members of the Civil Service must not be office bearers of any political party,” the circular said.
The circular says a member who submits his/her candidature to a duly constituted Nomination Court and accepted as a candidate for election to Parliament or Local Authority with or without satisfying the procedure outlined in paragraphs 2.2 above shall be deemed to have resigned or retired from the Public Service with immediate effect.
“Upon failing to secure candidature or reappointment within 30 days after the holding of elections. This only applies in cases that the former member shall not have filed an application to have results of the elections reviewed by a court of law.
“The PSC emphasizes that civil servant who has contested, lost and challenged the results in an Electoral Court, may only apply for reappointment to the public service after finalization of the petition,” the statements said.
The statement added that 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 fix to an office or post in the Public Service.
It also cancels and replaces all previous Circulars dealing with participation of members in harmonized elections.
