By Dean Chisambo
The Civil Service Commission has expressed concerns over inadequate funding, which hinders its operations, particularly its desire to implement electronic recruitment.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday in Lilongwe during a meeting with the Public Appointments Committee (PAC), Commission Chairperson Arthur Chibwana highlighted the impact of insufficient budgetary allocation on the commission’s mandate.
Chibwana cited the need for funds to cover recruitment processes, including advertisements, printing examinations, aptitude tests, and interviews, as well as motor vehicle running costs, hall hire charges, and subsistence allowances for officers.
The Commission has requested K2 billion to address these needs, but its 2026-2027 budget ceiling is pegged at K1.5 billion.
PAC Chairperson Felix Njawala acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and assured the Commission that the committee will advocate for additional funding from the Ministry of Finance.
He emphasized the importance of the Commission’s role and the need for sufficient funding to address disciplinary matters across ministries and departments.
Njawala also stressed the importance of proper mechanisms for transferring civil service officers to prevent institutional memory and political interference.
He advised the Commission to strengthen discipline among public officers, addressing issues such as tardiness and absenteeism.
The Civil Service Commission’s roles, as stipulated in Section 187 of the Malawi Constitution, include appointing and confirming civil service appointments, exercising control over civil servants, and removing persons from office.