Prof Clive Chirwa suspended

The embattled ZambiaA Railways Limited (ZRL) chief executive officer, Clive Chirwa has been suspended with immediate effect for alleged corruption in the manner he managed the collapsing national railway.

One wonders if this suspension is genuine or it’s simply meant to clean the face and later reinstate the luxury loving Prof Chirwa.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is head to have begun investigations into reports of alleged corrupt practices and abuse of authority of office against the CEO and the dissolved ZRL
Board.
President Michael Sata the appointing authority where Prof Chirwa was allegedly drawing the guts from has suspended him and ordered the ACC to probe him for alleged corrupt practices.

If this suspension was done in good faith and not to blind the citizens of Zambia, then the President deserve the kudos from all Zambians. But knowing the game politicians play, this can be meant to simply paint beautiful political scenery which at the end wears the same ugly face-corruption.
The differences between the Mark Chona led Board and Prof Chirwa ensued when both parties started pointing fingers at the other of mismanagement of financial resources.
Mr Sata has also ordered Prof Chirwa to vacate the Fallsway apartments where the limping ZRL was paying K72 million per months as rentals.

Prof Chirwa who claimed to be a loss in Zambia has been placed on half monthly pay, pending the conclusion of the investigations.
Mr Sata announced the suspension of Prof Chirwa in a letter dated April 22, 2013 and made available in a statement by State House Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah today.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary (PS), Muyenga Atanga has since been appointed to take charge of ZRL operations.
“By copy of the letter, the ACC has been instructed to carry out full investigations concerning the allegations of corruption.
“I am suspending you from duty and you will be on half pay. And as part of other conditions you will have to vacate the lodge and wait in the ZRL accommodation until the matter is completed,” read President Sata’s letter in part.
“This will require you (Dr Atanga) to take charge of the rail line including the inter-mine rail, which is so critical to the running of the mining sector,” Mr Sata said.
He reiterated government’s commitment to revamping the railway network that would result in a rail system which would create the necessary economic drive.
On Monday, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister, Christopher Yaluma, announced the dissolution of the Board, which was inducted in January this year, whose members included economist Oliver Saasa, Dr Atanga, Commerce Trade and Industry PS, Stephen Mwansa and
Finance PS for budget, Pamela Chibonga.
Others were Solicitor General Musa Mwenye, Road Transport and Safety Agency executive director Zindaba Soko, a consultant Jornam Mwansa, lawyer Irene Zeko Mbewe, mechanical engineer and consultant Geoffrey Mulenga and a retired ZRL worker Richard Chipanama.