CDEDI against Chakwera’s appointment of retired public officers

Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has expressed reservation over the move by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to recall retired civil servants amid high employment rate among the youths in the country.

On Tuesday, Chakwera fired and transferred some Principal Secretaries in various ministries. The move saw some retired Civil Servants being recalled to duty.

The move has attracted mixed reactions with many questioning Chakwera’s leadership style.

In a statement posted on facebook CDEDI Acting Director Sylvester Namiwa accused Chakwera of ignoring his campaign promises of 1 million jobs for the youths.

“Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives -CDEDI believes that the campaign promise of 1 million + jobs for youth by the Tonse Alliance would be achieved if youths are prioritised in the ongoing appointments.

“The appointment of retired people to serve in various government positions instead of considering and promoting already existent and well qualified youthful officers will only help to keep youths out of positions of power where critical decisions for the future of the youths are made,” wrote Namiwa.

He added: “We should let the elderly and retired officers to invest their pension money and create jobs in private sector.”

Effort to talk to State House Press Officer Sean Kampondeni on the matter proved futile.