Clive Chirwa's Suspension

Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP House, Omelo Mumba Road, Rhodespark,, Press statement                                                                  P. O. Box 32387, Lusaka, Zambia Tel-fax: 236281/236275                                                                            E-mail: fodep@coppernet.zm

                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                    24/04/2013

FOUNDATION for Democratic Process (FODEP) would like to commend President Michael Sata’s decision to allow the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) investigate the suspended Zambia Railways Limited Chief Executive Officer, Professor Clive Chirwa and the dissolved Board of Directors on alleged corrupt activities at the Company.

This act alone is not only good to saving the image of the company but also in preventing further misapplication of public resources at the company. It is good that such revelations and action are coming at an early stage before huge resources are abused and misapplied by people mandated to run the company as evidenced by their expensive style of living. It is a good reflection on the President’s commitment to the fight against corruption.

However, FODEP was of the view that the President should have extended the same zeal of suspending Cabinet ministers who were under investigations on allegations of corruption. This would have convinced many Zambians now doubting his commitment to the fight against corruption to appreciate his efforts. But instead, the President offered a deaf ear on people’s calls on him to have the ministers involved suspended or take leave to facilitate smooth investigations by the ACC on the alleged corruption which created a lot of pessimism in many people’s mind on the fairness and balance of the Head of State on public officers accused of corrupt activities.  People expected the same swiftness exhibited by the President on the ZRL on his Ministers as opposed to protecting them.

In addition, FODEP would wish to urge the President to be cautious enough in some of his appointments by ensuring that only genuine individuals willing to offer their services to the country at a minimal cost are accorded the opportunity to manage national affairs and its meager resources. The events that unfolded at the ZRL are a clear testimony that more has to be done to strengthen the fight against corruption and the institution mandated to do so especially that ACC had to swiftly move after presidential directives. 

McDonald Chipenzi

Executive Director

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Executive Committee (NEC): Mr. Shepherd Chilombe; President, Mr. Martin Mbewe; Vice President, Mr. Jacob Goma; National Secretary, Ms. Rose Phiri; National Treasurer; Ms. Ethel Mwanza; Vice-National Secretary, Mr. McDonald Chipenzi, Executive Director