'I'm leaving with a
clear conscience'
A SEVERE shake-up is expected at the National Railways of Zimbabwe following the surprise resignation of gm Alvord Mabena.
No successor has been appointed.
Mabena says he is leaving with a clear conscience after 20 years service.
Observers see his departure as the result of the confusion over the privatisation of
the railways, with the
World Bank withdrawing
its support until the government makes up its mind
what to do. The original plan for setting up four independent divisions has been scrapped.
Mabena is being made the scapegoat for yet another bungle by the government, said a railways source. This could be an attempt to convince the World Bank that there is a unity of purpose among the planners. Whether anyone will fall for that line remains to be seen.
The story being given out is that Mabena had recently committed blunders, such as buying modern passenger coaches costing US$22 million (R136m) for a daylight service between Bulawayo and Gweru that is said to be making a disastrous loss.
By Martin Rushmere
