Zambia's top public worker loses job

Zambian President Michael Sata has relieved the head of the public service of his duties with immediate effect, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Wednesday. Joshua Kanganja has been relieved of his duties following the expiry of his contract on Nov. 30, according to a letter sent to him by the Zambian leader dated Dec. 20. However, analysts have said the firing of Kanganja is not surprising following some recent statements where Sata has accused the former top public worker of negligence. Sata recently blamed Kanganja over a story leaked to local media where the Zambian leader appointed the country's former chief spy as a permanent secretary when he was still facing criminal charges in court. Sata has since reversed the appointment of the former spy chief. Kanganja became Secretary to the Cabinet in 2004 under late president Levy Mwanawasa. Kanganja, who confirmed the expiry of his contract, said he has left the public service a happy man, saying he is one of the privileged Zambians to have served under four different presidents. "I did my part to the best of my ability. I believe everything I did was for the good of the country," he was quoted as saying by the paper. Sata has made sweeping changes to the government since winning the Sept. 20 elections, a situation that has resulted in a number of people who served under his predecessor's administration being relieved of their duties.