MWAKYEMBE ORDERS ARREST OF SIX TRL TICKET EXAMINERS

Transport minister, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe

Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe yesterday ordered the arrest of six Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) ticket examiners over fraud allegations.

 

The officers are alleged to have forged the amount of fare paid by passengers by submitting fake transaction reports to the company management.

 

Dr Mwakyembe issued the directive during his meeting with workers held at TRL’s Dar es Salaam based workshop. The expelled ticket examiners are Stanley Makunja, Stanley Andrew, Jason Moses, Edward Benedict, Lucy Ntinya and B. Luoga

“Police (rail division) should immediately arrest the alleged workers,” said the Minister insisting that the law should take its course.

 

He however, ordered responsible authorities to investigate their wealth and if proved that they were acquired through ill-gotten money should be confiscated and given to TRL.

 

“The company has been facing serious financial problems which are sometimes caused by unfaithful employees…we shall not tolerate any deceitful worker because we want to revive the company so that it operates profitably” said Dr Mwakyembe.

 

For instance, he said in one of the transactions they submitted a receipt showing that ticket sells for that particular day was 13,600/- while in reality the sold tickets were worth 74,400/-.

 

Meanwhile, Dr Mwakyembe directed officials from TRL to travel to India to investigate the 174 cargo wagons purchased by the company before they are brought in the country this year.

 

He further said that up to date TRL had already imported 100 cargo wagons out of 174 from India.

 

For his part, Tanzania Railway Workers Union (TRAWU), Secretary General, Erasto Kihwele applauded the Minister for taking such actions as it will be a lesson to other employees.

Kihwele urged the Minister to take bold decisions against TRL officials who were behind importation of sub-standard wagons from India.

 

“Expelling ticket examiners is not enough, he should have fired officials who purchased sub-standard wagons” he said.

 

In late 2000’s RITES consortium of India which entered into a joint venture with the government to manage TRL after was offered 51 per cent of shares and powers to pick the management team.

 

The consortium decided to surrender its shares after failing to run the company, for various reasons including lack of capital and poor management, according to TRL board member Siraju Kaboyonga.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN