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Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader, Antonio Mwanza, says the exercise of constitutional authority must not be used as an excuse to avoid accountability.
Mwanza said ministers, once appointed, should demonstrate competence, integrity and diligence, as well as a clear commitment to serving the public.
In an interview with Zambia Monitor, he said Cabinet appointments were the constitutional prerogative of the President, who selects individuals he believed could help implement government policies and deliver on its mandate.
Mwanza noted that although citizens and political players might disagree with the President’s choices, question his judgment or criticise the composition of his Cabinet, the authority to make appointments rested with the President.
“Equally, the exercise of constitutional authority must never become an excuse for avoiding accountability. Once appointed, ministers must demonstrate competence, integrity, diligence and a clear commitment to serving the people,” he said.
He added that ministers should be prepared to answer questions about their performance, explain their decisions and account for the use of public resources.
Mwanza stressed the need to distinguish between the President’s constitutional authority to appoint ministers and the government’s obligation to deliver results.
“Our responsibility as the opposition is not to choose the President’s Cabinet for him, nor is it to demand that he appoint individuals simply because they are our preferred candidates,” he said.
He acknowledged that the opposition’s role was to scrutinise the President’s decisions, question government priorities, expose failures and hold the administration accountable to the people of Zambia.
Mwanza said Cabinet appointments should not be beyond criticism, adding that the President’s decisions remained legitimate subjects of public debate.
“This does not mean that Cabinet appointments should be beyond criticism. The President’s decisions are legitimate subjects of public debate, and citizens have every right to express their views on the competence, integrity and suitability of those appointed to public office,” he said.
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He argued that disagreement with an appointment should not be mistaken for a denial of the President’s constitutional authority.
Mwanza added that ministers who failed to perform, mismanaged public resources or fell short of their responsibilities should be held accountable through appropriate constitutional, parliamentary and legal mechanisms.
“Where ministers fail to perform, mismanage public resources or fall short of their responsibilities, they must be held accountable through the appropriate constitutional, parliamentary and legal mechanisms,” he said.
He stressed that no minister should be shielded from scrutiny simply because they enjoyed the confidence of the appointing authority.
Mwanza further argued that the success or failure of Cabinet should ultimately be measured by its members’ ability to improve the lives of ordinary Zambians, create opportunities for young people, strengthen the economy, improve public services and ensure the responsible use of public resources.
“The President appoints, the ministers perform, and the people hold the government accountable, noting that constitutional authority must be respected, public office must be exercised responsibly, and accountability must remain non-negotiable,” he said.
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