Shiana Mhizha and Debra Matabvu
The Public Service Association (PSA) has pulled out of the Apex Council, citing irregular­ities in the manner in which elec­tions to choose a new executive were con­ducted.

The polls, which were preceded by the amend­ment of the council’s constitution, saw Mr David Dzatsunga being elected chair­person of the civil servant representa­tive group.
PSA president Ms Cecilia Alexander said her association took the decision “because of inher­ent injustice in the Apex Council”.
The Apex Council comprises all the coun­try’s civil servant representative associations while the PSA consists of non-teachers.

“We have dissociated ourselves from the council,” she said.
“A constitution is supposed to be amended over a 40-day period when every­one has been given time to look at the amendments. How­ever, in this case, it took just 14 days. It is such uncon­stitutional acts that have seen us decide to keep our dis­tance.”

Ms Alexander said the previous constitu­tion stipulated that a PSA member was sup­posed to be elected to the helm of the coun­cil.
“According to the constitution, before amend­ment, it was now the PSA’s turn to take over the leadership.
“However, some people saw it fit to amend the constitution to meet their own selfish inter­ests.

“I’m not power hungry, but things should be done in a proper way . . . I cannot sit and watch such injustice. I was elected to protect my union and I will do exactly that,” she said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Dzatsunga said: “This will not have any effect on how the Apex Council operates as negotiations with Govern­ment for the review of civil service salaries will continue with or with­out the PSA.

“On close analysis, it is difficult to say whether the PSA has pulled out of the Apex Council because some of its members are still actively involved in our structures.”
Mr Dzatsunga refused to comment on allega­tions that the Apex Council constitu­tion was improperly amended.