Appointments and recruitments are very likely to be reversed by another Govt – They are politically tainted

By Kellys Kaunda

It’s impossible to seal recruitments against revision by another government.

Believe you me, it’s impossible unless your memories are conveniently short.

Remember two years ago or so when the current Inspector General of Police told the nation that there were PF caders who were recruited into the police force by the previous government and that he was going to flash them out?

That generated quite a debate. Hot FM even interviewed the IG via phone.

Ruling parties in Zambia – from UNIP to PF – conducted these kinds of recruitments and justified them exactly the same way that UPND is doing.

It’s something every Zambian knows. Even when government begins to explain stuff, Zambians don’t even pay attention.

They know how these explanations have been phrased before. They can literally recite them word for word.

So, why this government thinks it’s being smart, I don’t understand.

But here is what will happen: when UPND is no longer in office (whenever that will be), there will be an IG who will repeat what his current counterpart said about recruitment into the police force.

He will say, “there are UPND cadres in the police force. And we are flashing them out”. And the purge will begin.

Of course, they won’t succeed in flashing out everybody. Like the current IG said of those that were recruited under PF, if those recruited under UPND will have have assimilated well and would have become professional, they will remain on the force. After all, the country still needs more officers especially after government declared a 24hr-economy!

But just to be safe, my advice to the new recruits is two-fold: strive to be professional because that might help you survive when the purge inevitably begins.

Don’t trust anyone thinking they will keep your conduct or misconduct a secret. When there’s a change of government, people tell on each other thinking that way, the new bosses will keep them in the job.

My second piece of advice is: save a few kwachas from every salary you get from your first month.

Some of you will definitely not survive the purge. To lose a source of income is so bad, you may lose your mind or die of depression.

Meanwhile, enjoy your new jobs while they last!