EFFECTS OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE ON PERFORMANCE AND CAREER OF BUREAUCRATS IN MALAWI

Abstract

This study is an analysis of the effects of political influence on performance and career of bureaucrats in Malawi. It examines factors which influence political appointments; attitude of civil servants towards political appointments; how patronage political appointments interfere with the way civil servants execute their duties and how the practice of patronage appointments has affected career growth for civil servants. Two methods were used to collect data for the study. These were interviews and documents examination. Firstly, from the study, it was observed that civil servants perceive political appointment as a tool used by politicians to reward those civil servants who are in good terms with the regime or a way of punishing those civil servants who appear to be against the regime. This is done through transfers, postings and promotions which at aim paving way for new appointees. The study establishes that patronage based appointments have resulted in competent public servants staying longer on a position without being promoted as a result of unmerited practices of recruitment and promotions. Therefore, to ensure a neutral competent public service, the study proposes that undue and inappropriate influence of politicians over public servants needs to be kept at a minimum or avoided completely. One way of ensuring this is by instituting an independent body which can vet, recommend and confirm or endorse appointments of all top public service positions.