MUYANI SHINJABALE writes
CIVIL servants on the Copperbelt have been sternly warned against reporting for work late by the Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo.
Mr Kampyongo warned that government workers who were in the habit of reporting for work late risked being replaced with fresh minds.
The minister was speaking when he took an impromptu visit at the Copperbelt Provincial National Registration, Passport and Citizenship offices.
The Minister who was accompanied by Copperbelt Provincial Minister Japhen Mwakalombe arrived at the Passport offices before 08:00 hours and found a number of people who sought services from the offices seated on benches with no one to attend to them.
Later after 08:00 hours, the visibly panicky civil servants were seen sneaking in and an incensed Mr Kampyongo openly blasted them.
“I have always said to you that these jobs that you have, there are so many of your fellow Zambians who are looking for them who can serve Zambians probably more ably.” Mr Kampyongo said.
The minister said reporting for work after the stipulated 08:00 hours was unacceptable and that he would not tolerate it.
He reminded the workers that they were servants of the people and were expected to be punctual all the time.
“We pay you to serve these people, do you understand? So if these people are waiting from 07:00 hours and you come after 08:00 hours, what are you saying to them?” he asked
Mr Kapyongo said of late he had observed that some civil servants were in the habit of reporting late for work but that the trend should come to an end.
He also said that there was need to address the issue of mealie meal smuggling at the borders around the Copperbelt.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt minister Mr Mwakalombe later.
Mr. Kampyongo said smuggling was robbing government the much needed revenue, adding that it was the mandate of the security wing to ensure that the issue of smuggling was addressed and ensured peace prevailed.
The minister is on the Copperbelt to officiate at the passing out of over 600 constables at Kamfinsa Mobile Unit in Kitwe as well as commissioning police houses.
Meanwhile Mr Mwakalombe said Sakania and Mokambo borders were the most affected in regard to smuggling.
Mr Mwakalombe said the Ministry of agriculture and Ministry of home affairs needed to come up with an SI which would allow officers to search houses near the borders where mealie meal was being hidden.
