Clergyman drags church to court over exclusion from contesting Executive Secretary position

A Reverend in the Baptist Fellowship of Zambia has dragged the Church to court for disqualifying him from contesting the position of Executive Secretary.

In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Reverend Ebby Musika, said he was an ordained clergy who has served the church in various leadership positions for 21 years.

He cited the Executive Secretary as the defendant.

Musika explained that on April 10, 2023, the church advertised the said position and set out the requirements to apply among them that an applicant should resign his position at the time of applying if holding one.

The plaintiff said at the time of the advertisement, he was serving as chairperson of the executive committee.

He then decided to resign on May 23, 2023 and on the same day filed a notice of application for the said position.

“On July 12,2023,the defendant wrote to the plaintiff wherein, he indicated that the plaintiff’s application was unsuccessful on grounds that he served as chairman of the current executive and participated in formulating of guidelines and, therefore, there was conflict of interest. The plaintiff shall aver that, in the guidelines to be followed, when applying nowhere is it indicated as such and that the only requirement was to resign, if interested,” he said.

Musika said the decision to disqualify him was irrational and contrary to the set guidelines.

He stated his appeal to the board of trustees was yet to be heard despite being ratified by the Annual General Meeting.

He complained that the defendant had proceeded to conduct interviews on other candidates whose net effect would prejudice the him.

The clergyman seeks among other reliefs an order declaring his disqualification null and void on account that the said decision was not supported by application guideline and an injunction restraining the defendant from further conducting interviews, appointing any successful candidates or halt the process.

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