The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has called for the reversal of Cuthbert Malindi’s appointment as Managing Director of Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), citing concerns over corporate governance violations.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation, CCZ General Secretary Fr. Emmanuel Chikoya said the circumstances surrounding Malindi’s appointment raised serious red flags.
Insiders and stakeholders have questioned how Malindi, a former ZRL board member who participated in the interviews for the position, ended up being appointed to the very role he was helping to fill. This follows ZRL Board Chairperson Emmanuel Hachipuka’s earlier announcement that a headhunting process would be initiated after shortlisted candidates for the position were deemed unsuitable.
“A person tasked with interviewing candidates should not end up taking the job themselves—it undermines the integrity of the recruitment process,” Fr. Chikoya said. “Zambians must feel assured that appointments are based on merit and transparency, not on questionable processes.”
The situation has drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning how a person tasked with overseeing the recruitment process was ultimately deemed the best candidate for the role.
Stakeholders Voice Concerns
Critics argue that Malindi’s appointment sets a poor precedent for corporate governance, with some suggesting that the decision casts doubt on the ZRL board’s commitment to ethical standards.
Social media and public forums have been flooded with comments, including calls for the ZRL board to provide an explanation. One commenter, identified as JMC, stated: “How can a person tasked to conduct interviews for a job end up getting the job? So, he was an interested party all along? This action by the board does not make sense.”
Another observer, EMC, emphasized that the decision reflected outright misconduct, saying, “Father Chikoya is right. This action contradicts any principles of fairness and accountability in corporate governance.”
A Call for Accountability
Fr. Chikoya reiterated that institutions must lead by example, particularly when tasked with public responsibilities. He stressed the importance of corporate governance, transparency, and ethical decision-making in maintaining public trust.
The ZRL board is yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations. As the debate continues, many stakeholders are calling for a review of the appointment process to restore confidence in Zambia Railways Limited’s governance practices.
This incident has reignited calls for stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness in public sector appointments. Whether the ZRL board will heed these calls and take corrective action remains to be seen.
