Lawmaker, Mtayachalo, blames energy crisis on political, tribal appointments at ZESCO

Chama North Member of Parliament, Yotam Mtayachalo has blamed ZESCO’s poor management on appointments based on political and tribal considerations, rather than merit.

He argued that this had hindered investment in the power generation sector, leaving the country overly reliant on hydropower, which he described as retrogressive for both the utility and the nation.

Contributing to a group discussion under the umbrella of Dynamic Analysis on Wednesday, Mtayachalo, a former General Secretary of the National Energy and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU), alleged that political interference from State House had long contributed to ZESCO’s challenges.

“The Presidents who allowed this political culture at ZESCO are the culprits. However, under Kenneth Kaunda, appointments were made based on merit.

“He meticulously selected a Managing Director with extensive experience in running the company, and incompetence was not tolerated,” Mtayachalo said.

He recalled that former President Rupiah Banda was the only other leader who permitted the ZESCO Board to appoint a Managing Director, but due to political pressures, Dr. Nyirenda, the selected MD, did not last long and became one of the shortest-serving in the company’s history.

“Let the truth be told—apart from Kaunda and Banda, other Presidents have made appointments at ZESCO not based on merit, but on political and tribal considerations, which is detrimental to the power utility and the nation as a whole,” Mtayachalo said.

He also recounted his own experience, stating that in 2006, during President Levy Mwanawasa’s administration, he and the then NESAWU president were fired for advocating the removal of then Managing Director Rodney Sisala, whom they accused of incompetence.

He explained that Energy Minister Felix Mutati then had supported the union’s stance, which raised alarm about the impending electricity crisis, but instead of addressing the issue, President Mwanawasa transferred Mutati to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry to protect Sisala.

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