While continuing to reflect some of the features of competitive clientelism, Zambia is showing signs of becoming a vulnerable/unstable settlement. Without a clear line of succession within the political parties, the deaths of two presidents in office in recent years, have led to deep factionalism and the many political transitions has caused some level of instability for the entire country. Under these circumstances, the functioning of a bureaucracy is essential in providing continuity and functionality of the state. The consensus is that there has been a decline in effectiveness in most ministries and regulatory authorities. The decline is tied in with a rapid changeover of public servants after elections, accompanied by the addition, removal and renaming of ministries. Since 2011, increased political interference in civil service leading has led to heightened insecurity, as public servants no longer feel secure in their position, neither in their career. In this presentation we will look specifically at the functioning of Ministry of Finance (still regarded as a relative island of effectiveness) in relation to the executive.