Times of Zambia | ACC starts ZRL probe

Published On June 9, 2015 » 1664 Views» By Administrator Times » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE

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By JAMES KUNDA –

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has commenced investigations into reports of alleged mismanagement of Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL).
ACC acting public relations manager Dorothy Mwanza said in response to a Press query that the commission had engaged ZRL with a view to obtaining more information on the matter before considering any action.
“I wish to state that the commission is aware of a news story in the media in which the Board of Zambia Railways Limited has asked the commission and other investigative wings to probe any wrong doing at the company following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer Muyenga Atanga.
“The commission is currently studying the matter before any decision is made on the next course of action,” Ms Mwanza said.
Ms Mwanza did not give a specified time frame of ‘studying’ the matter but assured that the commission always handled matters of such nature professionally, effectively and in a timely manner.
Prof Atanga was last week relieved of his duties in a decision undertaken by the board to terminate his employment contract.
Prof Atanga took over the reins from Clive Chirwa who was suspended in 2013 after a dispute with a ZRL Board which was later dissolved.
About K5 million which is part of the Eurobond money allocated to ZRL is yet to be accounted for, according to the board.
Board chairperson Davies Chama said last week that both the ACC and the Drug-Enforcement Commission (DEC) had been alerted to carry out independent investigations.
Prof Atanga had a week, before being fired, told the board that there was fraud at the company.
This was after the board inquired how ZRL advanced K2.5 million to BUK Limited when the private company had not done the job.
The payment was the second advance to BUK despite concerns that the private firm had not done anything to convince management that it was executing the contract.
Lusaka-based BUK Limited has denied any wrong-doing in the transaction, insisting that it should not be dragged into differences between Prof Atanga and the ZRL Board.