PF official, Mwamba, calls for ACC probe into alleged irregular appointment of Zambia Railways managing director

Patriotic Front (PF) Chairperson for Information and Publicity, Emmanuel Mwamba, has called on the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the appointment of Cuthbert Malindi as the new Managing Director of Zambia Railways, alleging irregularities in the hiring process.

Mwamba stated that despite public outcry over the alleged illegal appointment, the Zambia Railways Board had failed to take corrective action.

In a letter dated February 7, 2025, addressed to the ACC, Mwamba claimed that Malindi, who was previously a board member of Zambia Railways, chaired and conducted interviews for other candidates before ultimately securing the position himself.

He further alleged that there was no official communication indicating that Malindi had declared his interest in the role before participating in the recruitment process.

“This action denied other qualified Zambians a fair chance at the position, as they believed the process was transparent,” Mwamba said.

He urged the Zambia Railways Board Chairperson and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to suspend Malindi and initiate a fresh, fair, and transparent appointment process.

“On December 12, 2024, the Zambia Railways Limited Board of Directors announced Malindi’s appointment as Managing Director, effective January 2, 2025,” he stated.

Mwamba accused Malindi of having insider knowledge of the hiring process and sabotaging other candidates by failing to disclose his personal interest in the position.

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He also cited remarks attributed to Board Chairperson Emmanuel Hachipuka, alleging that they reinforced concerns that the appointment breached corporate governance standards.

“The successful candidate allegedly exploited insider information, disadvantaging other qualified applicants who were denied a fair opportunity due to this blatant abuse of the law,” Mwamba said.

Despite concerns raised by institutions such as Transparency International Zambia, he noted that the appointment had not been reversed.

“I therefore call upon your Commission to immediately investigate this appointment and prosecute all those responsible for facilitating this violation of the law,” he said.

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