When Civil Service becomes political stagecraft: the Kawana doctrine

By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma

In the twisted corridors of Zambia’s civil service, where neutrality was once held as a sacred principle, one man has emerged as a trailblazer, rewriting the rules of governance. Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary for Information, has transformed his position from a symbol of impartial service into a stage for partisan brilliance.

With flair, cunning, and unshakable loyalty to the ruling party, Kawana has redefined what it means to be a civil servant, proving that professionalism is merely optional.

A PS and a Cadre: Breaking Boundaries

The role of a Permanent Secretary is, by design, to remain above the fray of politics—a steady hand guiding national administration. However, Thabo Kawana has boldly rejected this outdated notion. Why remain neutral when one can serve as a party operative with a title? Kawana has demonstrated that it is entirely possible to serve two masters: the public in theory, and the ruling party in practice.

In a move worthy of political science case studies, Kawana has seamlessly merged bureaucratic authority with political allegiance. Where others conceal their partisan leanings, Kawana wears his UPND loyalty like a badge of honor, showcasing that true innovation lies in blurring the line between civil service and party structure.

The JJ Leaked Audio: A Masterstroke of “Negotiation”

In what can only be described as a stroke of tactical brilliance, Kawana’s name surfaced in the now-infamous leaked audio involving Hon. Jay Jay Banda. Allegedly caught pressuring Banda to exonerate his abductors in exchange for his freedom, Kawana displayed a skill set far beyond ordinary administrative competence—negotiation through coercion.

Why wait for due process, court hearings, or formal investigations when one can simply persuade victims to revise the truth? Kawana appears to understand that justice is slow and cumbersome. His alleged actions seem designed to streamline the system with ruthless efficiency. By allegedly offering Banda freedom in return for silence, Kawana introduced a new model of conflict resolution: swift, concealed, and entirely devoid of accountability.

Who needs law enforcement when Kawana’s brand of quiet diplomacy is available? If this is not innovation, what is?

Misinformation Management: The Ministry’s New Mandate

As Permanent Secretary for Information, Kawana has expertly redefined the ministry’s role. Under his stewardship, it has abandoned traditional ideals such as transparency, truth, and open communication. Instead, it has adopted a far more pragmatic philosophy: control the narrative at all costs.

Unfavorable reports are buried. Critical voices are silenced. The messy truth is repackaged into a tidy UPND-approved version of reality.

Kawana understands that in politics, the public does not need to know the truth. They only need to hear the right version of it. By transforming the Ministry of Information into a propaganda powerhouse, he ensures that citizens receive carefully curated alternative facts while dissenting voices are muffled into oblivion. This is misinformation elevated to an art form.

Loyalty Above All Else

Thabo Kawana has shattered the illusion that the civil service exists to serve the people first. He reminds us that loyalty to the party supersedes duty, integrity, and even conscience. His unwavering devotion to the ruling UPND—whether through alleged backroom deals, media manipulation, or strategic silencing—is truly a marvel to observe.

Future Permanent Secretaries should take note. True public service, in this new era, lies in serving the party that holds power, not the citizens who fund the government. Kawana’s example secures his place as the patron saint of partisan bureaucracy.

Power Management: Turning Victims Into Advocates

The JJ Banda saga, where Kawana allegedly persuaded a victim of abduction to publicly defend his captors, is more than just a scandal. It is a masterclass in the creative use of power. Only Kawana could orchestrate such a transformation—turning a victim into a mouthpiece for his alleged abusers.

By bypassing legal procedures and rendering formal institutions irrelevant, Kawana demonstrates to aspiring power brokers that true influence lies in shaping narratives, managing victims, and engineering outcomes behind closed doors. This is leadership at its most cunning and calculated.

Conclusion: Kawana, The Architect of Modern Governance

Thabo Kawana has elevated himself into the pantheon of Zambian political brilliance. He is not merely a Permanent Secretary. He is a visionary, a strategist, and a master manipulator of truth and power. His tenure represents a pivotal moment in which the civil service embraced its new identity as an extension of party machinery.

From the leaked audio scandal to his unwavering loyalty to UPND interests, Kawana has redefined public service as a theatre for political influence. He has demonstrated that neutrality is obsolete, integrity is optional, and coercion is an acceptable mechanism for governance.

Let us, then, acknowledge the legacy of Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary who broke the rules, buried the truth, and emerged as a champion of party-first administration.

His version of “service” will echo through the halls of history.

Bravo, Thabo Kawana. Bravo.