Lungu: Chirwa Should Not Sneak Out Of Zambia Till Investigations are Concluded

By CLAVER MUTINTA
MINISTER of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu says suspended Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) chief executive officer Clive Chirwa has agreed to remain in Zambia until investigations into allegations of corruption are concluded.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating corruption allegations against Professor Chirwa and the dissolved board of directors led by Mark Chona.
Last week, Prof Chirwa attempted to leave the country but he was stopped by immigration officers at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Mr Lungu said in Lusaka yesterday that he talked to Prof Chirwa over his intended travel out of the country and the professor agreed that he will not leave until after the investigations.
“I spoke to the professor myself and he agreed and assured me that he will be in the country until after the inquiry into the matter at Zambia Railways Limited is done,” he said.
Mr Lungu said Prof Chirwa told him that his attempt to leave the country in the middle of investigations was an oversight on his part.
The minister said Prof Chirwa told him that he had an appointment to fulfil when he attempted to leave the country last week.
Mr Lungu said Prof Chirwa can only leave the country if he gets clearance from the ACC.
He advised Prof Chirwa to inform the ACC if he has to go out of Zambia to avoid misunderstandings.
“We have done our part at Home Affairs to stop him from going out while the inquiry is still going on, but we are not saying that he can’t go anywhere. He can go if the ACC allows him,” he said.
And ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said in response to a press query on Sunday that the commission has made steady progress in investigating the matter.